The African Union Commission (AUC) has raised concerns over a new U.S. travel ban that restricts entry from 19 countries, including several in Africa. The move, announced by former President Donald Trump in a video statement, has sparked reactions from international bodies and civil society voices alike.
Twelve countries now face a full ban, including Chad, Eritrea, Libya, Somalia, and Sudan from the African continent. Another seven countries, such as Sierra Leone, Togo, and Burundi, face partial restrictions.
Trump defended the action as necessary for “national security,” saying the U.S. “must protect its borders and its people.”
In response, the African Union Commission said it “has taken note” of the decision but urged Washington to reconsider its approach. In a formal statement, the AU Commission acknowledged the “sovereign right of all nations to protect their borders,” but called for policies that are “balanced, evidence-based, and reflective of the long-standing partnership between the United States and Africa.”
The Commission warned that the ban could harm “people-to-people ties, educational exchange, commercial engagement, and broader diplomatic relations” between the U.S. and African nations.
The AU further urged the U.S. government to adopt “a more consultative approach” and emphasized that it was willing to help “resolve concerns and strengthen cooperation.”
Criticism also came from political thinkers in the United States. Carlos Alberto Espinoza, a libertarian commentator, denounced the ban as a violation of basic principles.
“Banning peaceful individuals with valid visas solely based on their nationality is collectivism disguised as patriotism,” Espinoza wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
“This ban is a blatant violation of the non-aggression principle and a betrayal of the core values of a free society.”
While Trump and his supporters argue the measure is about protecting American lives, critics say it paints entire populations with a broad brush and undermines individual rights.
The U.S. government has not issued a formal response to the African Union’s concerns at this time.
