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N’Djamena, Chad – In a bold move, Chad’s President Mahamat Idriss Deby has announced a ban on issuing visas to American citizens, hitting back at the United States after it included Chad in a new travel ban targeting 12 countries.
The decision, shared in a Facebook post on Thursday, comes as a response to President Donald Trump’s proclamation, which blocks Chadians and others from entering the U.S. starting Monday, June 9, 2025.
“I have told my government to suspend visas for U.S. citizens, following the principle of reciprocity,” President Deby wrote. “Chad has no planes or billions of dollars to give, but we have our dignity and pride,” he added, taking a swipe at a $400 million luxury plane gifted to Trump by Qatar’s ruling family.
The U.S. travel ban, announced on Wednesday, targets seven African countries—Chad, Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Libya, Somalia, and Sudan—along with Afghanistan, Myanmar, Haiti, Iran, and Yemen.
The White House claims the ban is needed to protect against “foreign terrorists” and cites issues like high visa overstay rates and poor cooperation on deportations. For Chad, the U.S. pointed to a 49.54% overstay rate on business and tourist visas in 2023 as a key reason.
President Deby’s decision has sparked mixed reactions across Africa. Many on social media praised Chad’s stance, with one user saying, “Chad is showing the world it won’t bow down!” Others, like the African Union, expressed concern that the ban could harm diplomatic ties, urging the U.S. to adopt a “balanced and evidence-based” approach. In the Republic of Congo, officials called their inclusion in the ban a “misunderstanding,” insisting they are not a terrorist state.
This tit-for-tat visa war highlights growing tensions between the U.S. and some African nations. As Chad stands firm on its “dignity and pride,” the world watches to see if other countries follow suit. For now, Americans hoping to visit Chad will find the doors firmly closed.
