Chad Responds to US Visa Ban With Reciprocal Restrictions

Editorial : Reda El Ghazal

Chad Responds to the recent US entry ban on its citizens. Indeed, the country announced yesterday Thursday the immediate suspension of visa issuance for American nationals. President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno personally ordered this retaliatory measure, denouncing the American decision as fundamentally unjust and discriminatory. He communicated the directive via his official Facebook page, framing it as a necessary defense of national dignity and sovereignty.

Meanwhile, the US restriction targets citizens from thirteen nations, including Chad, Afghanistan, Iran, Libya, and Somalia, officially citing enhanced internal security protocols following a deadly attack in Colorado. This ban becomes effective on June 9th, though it includes exemptions for holders of diplomatic visas, essential workers, and those deemed in the US national interest.

Additionally, human rights organizations have strongly criticized the American policy, viewing it as disproportionately affecting African and predominantly Muslim countries. By enacting this reciprocal visa suspension, Chad asserts its stance against perceived discrimination and upholds the principle of mutual treatment in international relations, as emphasized by President Déby Itno.