Chad announces suspension of visas to US citizens in response to Trump travel ban

N'DJAMENA, Chad (AP) — Chad's President Mahamat Idriss Deby has announced that his country will suspend the issuing of visas to U.S. citizens in response to the Trump administration’s decision to ban Chadians from visiting the United States.

President Donald Trump on Wednesday resurrected a hallmark policy of his first term when he announced the visa ban on 12 countries including Chad, accusing them of having “deficient” screening and vetting, and historically refusing to take back their own citizens who overstay in the United States.

The new ban targets Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen.

There will also be heightened restrictions on visitors from seven others in the new travel policy, which takes effect Monday at 12:01 a.m.

In a Facebook post, Chad’s president on Thursday said he is directing his government to suspend visas to U.S. citizens “in accordance with the principles of reciprocity.”

“Chad has no planes to offer, no billions of dollars to give but Chad has his dignity and pride,” Deby said, referring to the $400 million luxury plane offered to his administration as a gift by the ruling family of Qatar.

The new travel policy has triggered varied reactions from Africa, whose countries make up seven of the 12 countries affected by Trump’s outright visa ban with some exemptions.

In the Republic of Congo, government spokesperson Thierry Moungalla said he believes the country was among those affected because of a “misunderstanding” over an armed attack in the U.S. with the perpetrators “mistaken” to be from the Republic of Congo.

“Obviously, Congo is not a terrorist country, is not home to any terrorist, is not known to have a terrorist vocation. So we think that this is a misunderstanding and I believe that in the coming hours, the competent diplomatic services of the government will contact the American authorities here,” he said in the capital of Brazzaville.

In Sierra Leone, among countries with heightened travel restrictions, Information Minister Chernor Bah said the country is committed to addressing the concerns that prompted the ban.

“We will work with U.S. authorities to ensure progress,” he added.

FILE - Chad's President Mahamat Idriss Deby, arrives at Beijing Capital Airport ahead of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), Sept. 2, 2024. (Wang Zhao/Pool Photo via AP, File)

RABAT, Morocco (AP) — Organizers of the Africa Cup of Nations have condemned the “unacceptable behavior of players and officials” and is reviewing video evidence of journalists fighting after the quarterfinal between Algeria and Nigeria.

The Confederation of African Football said Monday it was also investigating match incidents during the quarterfinal between Cameroon and host nation Morocco.

“CAF strongly condemns any inappropriate behavior which occurs during matches, especially those targeting the refereeing team or match organizers,” CAF said in a statement. “Appropriate actions will be sought against anyone whose behavior is not consistent with professional conduct at CAF events.”

Scuffles broke out between players and team officials on the field after Algeria’s defeat by Nigeria in Marrakech on Saturday.

Referee Issa Sy was shielded from irate Algeria team staff and was escorted off the field. Video clips showed Sy was still being pursued in the mixed zone for media and broadcasters as he made his way to his cabin.

Video also showed accredited media fighting in the mixed zone as they waited for players to pass through for interviews after the match.

“CAF has referred the matters to the disciplinary board for investigation and has called for appropriate action to be taken if the identified persons were to be found guilty of any wrongdoing,” CAF said.

AP at the Africa Cup: https://apnews.com/hub/africa-cup-of-nations

Algeria's goalkeeper Luca Zidane, center, and teammates clash with Nigeria's players following the Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinal soccer match between Algeria and Nigeria in Marrakech, Morocco, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)