When Essi Farida Geraldo, a Lomé-based architect, learned of the partial travel restrictions to the United States announced by Donald Trump, she expressed deep disappointment. For many young Togolese, the U.S. has long been viewed as a land of opportunity. “The United States was the Togolese’s El Dorado,” Geraldo remarked, illustrating how many citizens aspire to work in the U.S. to support their families and contribute to projects back home. She noted that the new restrictions would compel Togo to forge stronger partnerships that do not involve the U.S.

The Trump administration’s directives, which come into effect imminently, prohibit entry from seven African nations—Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Libya, Somalia, and Sudan—marking Africa as the continent most severely affected. In addition, three other countries—Burundi, Sierra Leone, and Togo—will experience partial restrictions, limiting specific visa categories. This move has been perceived as a step backward in U.S.-Africa relations, especially in light of prior reductions in foreign aid that Geraldo noted had already hindered vital funding for social projects.

Political analyst Mikhail Nyamweya commented on the broader implications of these travel restrictions, stating that they may establish a pattern of exclusion that could institutionalise the perception of Africans as outsiders in international frameworks. He argued that, while the immediate impact will restrict access to educational and professional mobility, the long-term consequences may alienate African partners altogether, potentially fuelling anti-Western sentiments across the continent.

In response to these announcements, Abigail Jackson, the White House deputy press secretary, justified the measures by claiming that the countries involved “lack proper vetting” and pose risks related to national security, emphasising President Trump’s commitment to safeguarding Americans. Conversely, Abby Maxman, president and CEO of Oxfam America, sharply rebutted this rationale, asserting that the travel ban merely exacerbates existing inequalities and fosters harmful stereotypes, arguing, “This policy is not about national security; it is about sowing division.”

The uncertainty surrounding the new restrictions is compounded by recent cancellations of student visa appointments due to a pending social media vetting process, raising alarm among students and families hoping for educational opportunities in the U.S. Moreover, concerns loom over the proposed remittance tax under Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which, if enacted, would impose a 3.5% tax on remittances—money that many maintain is crucial for their families’ livelihoods back home. Geoffrey Gichohi, a nurse in Minnesota, detailed how the tax would negatively affect families reliant on such funds, highlighting the financial strain that would ensue if the law passes.

While the overarching sentiment across affected nations is one of despair and anxiety about future ties with the U.S., some experts note that reactions might not be uniform. Jalel Harchaoui, an associate fellow at the Royal United Services Institute in London, pointed out that many in Libya seem apathetic towards the travel bans, suggesting that for a significant portion of the population, the U.S. does not represent a primary destination for travel or migration.

In light of these developments, Chad’s President Mahamat Idriss Déby made a notable move by suspending visa issuances to U.S. citizens, justifying the action as a means of reciprocal protest against the travel restrictions. This reaction reflects a broader sense of dignity among the affected nations, while reactions from other countries like Sierra Leone have been more measured, framing the decision as a matter of visa overstay rates rather than an indicator of broader diplomatic relations.

Overall, these travel bans and the potential tax on remittances signal a challenging new chapter in U.S.-Africa relations, with possible repercussions for economic stability and international partnerships that warrant careful scrutiny.

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Source: Noah Wire Services