AU welcomes removal of Sudan from US travel ban

The African Union Commission (AUC) has welcomed the removal of Sudan from the US travel ban, and expressed the hope that relations between the two countries will be normalized soon.

In a statement issued September 26, 2017 and copied to ghanabusinessnews.com, the AUC said it was perplexed by the imposition of a travel ban on some African countries as the free and legal movement of people is the foundation of a stronger and mutually enriching relationship between the African continent and the United States.

“While sharing the same concerns with the United States of America on the threat of terrorism and violent extremism, the AUC is of the view that cooperation and meaningful engagement are vital in shaping a common response to this very demanding global challenge,” it said.

However, in a meeting at the African Union Headquarters with the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) against the Boko Haram insurgency, the organization said it is bewildered at the imposition of the unjust travel ban on the Republic of Chad, in particular, given its important role in the fight against terrorism in the Lake Chad Basin, Northern Mali, and the Sahel.

The organization then called for meaningful dialogue between the government of the United States and Member States of the African Union on the travel ban affecting African countries and looks forward to discussing the matter in the upcoming AU-US High Level Dialogue in November 2017.

By Emmanuel K. Dogbevi