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US Expands Travel Ban to 25 African Countries: Implications for Ethiopia, Ghana, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Senegal, and Cameroon

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By Afroradar.com | June 10, 2025

In a significant escalation of U.S. immigration policy, the Trump administration is considering expanding its travel ban to include 25 African nations, among them key economic and political partners such as Ethiopia, Ghana, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Senegal, and Cameroon. This move, outlined in a recent State Department memo, has sparked widespread concern across the continent, with the African Union and local stakeholders decrying the policy as discriminatory and potentially damaging to diplomatic, economic, and cultural ties.

The Scope of the Proposed Travel Ban

According to reports from sources like The Washington Post and Business Insider Africa, the expanded travel ban targets a total of 36 countries, with 25 from Africa. The African nations listed include Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Malawi, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

The policy, which builds on travel restrictions from President Trump’s first term, cites national security concerns, terrorism risks, and high visa overstay rates as justifications. The memo reportedly sets a 60-day deadline for these nations to meet stringent U.S. requirements—such as sharing criminal records and accepting deportees—or face partial or full entry bans.

Impact on Affected African Nations

The inclusion of countries like Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, and Ghana, a stable democracy with strong U.S. ties, has raised eyebrows. These nations, along with Ethiopia, Ivory Coast, Senegal, and Cameroon, are vital players in regional trade, innovation, and diplomacy. The proposed restrictions could disrupt academic exchanges, business travel, and family reunifications, with far-reaching consequences for both African and American stakeholders.

  • Nigeria and Ghana: As West African economic powerhouses, these countries have significant diaspora communities in the U.S. Bright Simons, a policy analyst at IMANI Ghana, noted that the ban unfairly punishes entire nations for the actions of a minority, with thousands of Ghanaians and Nigerians potentially affected despite their contributions to the U.S.
  • Ethiopia: Already grappling with internal challenges, Ethiopia’s inclusion is linked to issues like refusing U.S. deportees and high visa overstay rates. This could strain U.S.-Ethiopia relations, especially given Ethiopia’s strategic role in the Horn of Africa.
  • Ivory Coast and Senegal: Both nations are key players in West Africa’s economic growth and host major events like the Port Connect Africa Conference (July 7-9, 2025, Abidjan) and the Clinique des Entrepreneurs Africains (August 2025, Lomé, with Senegalese participation). Travel restrictions could hinder their ability to attract global investment and talent.
  • Cameroon: Facing security concerns near its borders, Cameroon’s inclusion may exacerbate challenges for professionals and students seeking opportunities abroad.

Reactions and Criticisms

The African Union has called for constructive dialogue, warning that the ban could harm educational exchanges, commercial engagement, and diplomatic relations. Critics, including Amnesty International, have labeled the policy “discriminatory, racist, and downright cruel,” pointing to its disproportionate targeting of African and Muslim-majority nations.

Local voices echo this sentiment. Isaac Antwi, a Ghanaian scientist who studied in the U.S., expressed frustration, stating, “Regardless of my contribution to the USA, I may be prevented from re-entry.” Posts on X reflect similar anger, with users describing the ban as a “big slap in the face” to Africans.

Chad has taken a bold step by announcing it will suspend visas for U.S. citizens in retaliation, signaling potential diplomatic fallout. Other nations may follow suit, potentially aligning closer to U.S. adversaries if tensions escalate.

Broader Implications for Africa

The travel ban comes at a critical time for Africa’s growth trajectory. Events like the Forum sur la Protection des Données à Caractère Personnel (June 19, 2025, Abidjan) highlight the continent’s push toward digital innovation and data security. Restrictions on travel could limit African professionals’ ability to engage in global forums, stifling collaboration and innovation.

Moreover, the ban could impact Africa’s tourism and trade sectors, which are already navigating challenges. For instance, Nigeria and Ghana are key players in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and restricted mobility could hinder their global competitiveness.

What’s Next?

The proposed ban is not yet finalized, and the 60-day window offers a chance for dialogue. African nations could strengthen compliance with U.S. requirements, but as Bright Simons notes, navigating the “hyper-transactional” Trump administration will require strategic diplomacy.

For now, Africans affected by the ban—particularly those in Ethiopia, Ghana, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Senegal, and Cameroon—are left in limbo, facing uncertainty about their future in the U.S. The African Union and local advocates continue to push for a fairer approach, emphasizing the need for mutual respect and collaboration.

AFRICA

Cameroon’s Election: Biya’s Eighth Term Fuels Protests and Widens Divide

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YAOUNDÉ, CAMEROON — At 92, President Paul Biya has won Cameroon’s latest presidential election, extending his 43-year grip on power. Representing the Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM), Biya secured 53.66% of the vote, according to the Constitutional Council, while his main rival, Issa Tchiroma Bakary—a former ally now turned critic—trailed with 35.19%.

Protests Erupt Amid Claims of Fraud

The announcement has sparked outrage instead of celebration. Opposition leaders and activists have dismissed the results, accusing the government of rigging the vote. Tchiroma Bakary, who declared himself the winner before the official tally, called the election a “sham” and rallied his supporters to protest.

In cities like Douala, anger has spilled into the streets. Clashes between protesters and security forces have led to injuries and arrests, with young Cameroonians, fed up with decades under the same ruler, chanting for change and demanding their voices be heard.

A Nation Divided

Biya’s latest victory means more of the same for Cameroon—a government that promises stability but struggles with corruption, sluggish economic growth despite rich resources, and a lingering conflict in the Anglophone regions. With over 70% of Cameroonians under 35, many feel disconnected from a leadership that seems out of touch. Young people are increasingly vocal, pushing for a new generation to take the helm.

The world is watching. While some foreign leaders may send congratulations, Cameroon’s handling of the election and the unrest that follows will shape its ties with global partners and donors.

For Cameroon’s youth, another seven years of Biya feels like a rerun of a story they’re tired of living. The big question now is whether the government can find a way to connect with a generation demanding a say in their country’s future.

Afroradar.com will keep tracking the situation, bringing you updates and insights on Cameroon’s shifting political scene.

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AFRICA

Ghana in Mourning After Deadly Helicopter Crash Wipes Out Top Officials

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Ghana is still struggling to come to terms with a tragic military helicopter crash which killed eight people, including two government ministers and other top officials, on the morning of August 6, 2025.

The downed Ghanaian Air Force helicopter belonged to the Z-9 model and took off again from Accra en route to Obuasi at 09:12am but crashed after departure. They immediately began search efforts when the aircraft did not respond to radio contact. The helicopter was later reported to have crashed into a tree in the Adansi Akrofuom District of Ashanti Region, where it caught fire and burnt beyond recognition.

The crash killed Defense Minister Edward Omane Boamah, Environment, Science and Technology Minister Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator Muniru Mohammed, National Democratic Congress Vice Chairman Samuel Sarpong and former Parliamentary Candidate Samuel Aboagye as well as Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Twum Ampadu and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah who were members of the crew.

National tragedy, Chief of Staff Julius Debrah declared during a press conference in the capital As the country mourns, flags are being flown at half mast on all government buildings as ordered by the government.

Rescue crews were on scene by 4 a.m., but by then the fire was so intense that little remained of the wreckage. It is not yet clear what prompted the crash — they are examining whether it could have been a technical fault or adverse weather conditions. The occurrence harks back to a military helicopter that crash-landed inside the Western Region in March 2024, but no one was injured in that accident.

The crash happened as Dr. Frank Amoakohene, the Minister for the Ashanti Region, was addressing an anti-galamsey event in Obuasi He rushed away to assist in coordinating the emergency response at the scene.

The government has vowed to provide support for the families of victims amid a wide probe to determine what led to the tragedy. At the moment, Ghana now awaits details of what might have caused such a tragic loss of lives. ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

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AFRICA

Fuel Price Protests Turn Violent in Angola’s Capital

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Angolans Protesting High Fuel Prices in Capital Destroy Property in Marches Demonstrations in the streets of Luanda turned violent, and the police shot live bullets and tear gas.

Luanda, Angola — A peaceful strike by transport workers turned violent on Monday when the protesters took to the streets here to denounce a government measure to increase the price of fuel to 400 kwanzas a liter from about 300 kwanzas. The unrest has left businesses vandalized, residents shaken and questions swirling over the financial future of Angola.
The evening also brought burning tires and shattered storefronts along Broadway from 3rd to 7th. Two athletic sneaker stores and a T-Mobile store fared the worst — their windows smashed and their booty scattered. Video clips that made the rounds on social media showed protesters yanking buses to a halt and forcing them to discharge their passengers, and confronting drivers who were reluctant to join the three-day strike.
“The people are starving, and the government is killing us,” said Adilson Manuel, who is the spokesman for the social movement against the fuel hike. His comments echoed the frustration of many Angolans, who see the price jump as the latest blow to households already struggling with unemployment and an uptick in prices.
July 4, Angola’s government lifted fuel subsidies as part of an ongoing plan to reduce spending to comply with International Monetary Fund conditions under an economy support loan program to the heavily indebted African nation. It’s a paradox not lost on demonstrators: Despite its status as one of the world’s top oil-producing countries, Angola has to import most of its refined fuel because it lacks sufficient domestic refining capacity.
The figures and statistics paint a harsh picture for everyday Angolans. They increased taxi fares to 300 kwanzas a ride and a public bus ride in the city now costs 200 kwanzas. “It’s intolerable that the government is always trying to make our lives more difficult,” said one street vendor, Custodia dos Santos.

The police response was swift and brutal. The riot police and gendarmes used tear gas, batons and rubber bullets to push back protesters in a demonstration on 12 July, in which nine people were injured and 17 others arrested. One protester remains in custody, charged with the incitement of violence. Police claimed the protesters were going beyond agreed-upon routes — a charge organizers vehemently deny.
The crackdown reflects broader tensions within Angola, where the ruling MPLA party has held power for five decades. The signing into law of a contentious piece of legislation by President João Lourenço in August 2024 that imposes prison sentences of up to 25 years for damage caused during protests, has come in for heavy criticism from human rights groups accusing it of being designed to suffocate opposition.
The police violence against protesters in Angola is stomach-churning,” said Khanyo Farisè of Amnesty International, which found a pattern across 11 protests from 2020 to 2025 that left a minimum of 17 dead, with no officer held responsible.
The government has accused the opposition of fomenting the protests ahead of the election that will see multimillionaires in 2027, particularly UNITA. UNITA shot back, condemning the “autocratic attitude” of the police and heavy-handedness.
Defying even as the strike drags on.” Activist Laura Macedo has called for a stay-at-home strike, and organisers are working on a petition to the president, João Lourenço, and finance minister, Vera Daves, demanding Abreu’s decision is reversed.
The unrest has exposed a growing chasm between the rulers of Angola and a public that increasingly feels sidelined by policies prioritizing fiscal rectitude over social justice. We are facing hunger, the whole country is facing hunger, but our president is paying no attention at all.
With violence escalating and negotiations stalled, Angola hangs on the precipice of something. Here is the question now: Will leadership hear the voices of the streets, or will it seek to double down on a course that can only deepen the estrangement of the people from the people who govern them?

  • Track the rest of this unfolding story (if that’s what it is) on Afroradar. com. *

Afroradar. com condemns violence of any kind, and not withstanding the newsworthiness of the circumstances surrounding the public protests, does not condone the use of vandalism and property destruction. We call for peaceful dialogue and an end to violence through credible, inclusive leadership, and we continue to demand accountability consistent with the will of the Malian people.

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