United States President Donald Trump has signed a proclamation banning journey to the US from nationals of 12 international locations, citing nationwide safety dangers, in line with the White Home.
By Othello B. Garblah
Liberia, which was talked about on a provisional listing comprising of twenty-two international locations below a “Yellow” class has been omitted from the Trump’s journey ban listing for international locations, he described as being uncontrolled barely three months after the itemizing emerged.
However with the excessive charge of visa denials for Liberians wishing to journey to the US, it stays to be seen how lengthy it can take earlier than the US attracts its curtain on Liberia.
In early March this yr, a purported listing allegedly developed by U.S. diplomats and safety officers to impose strict journey restrictions on residents from 43 international locations, together with Liberia, was leaked on a number of worldwide and native media retailers.
The listing then categorized these nations into three teams based mostly on their perceived safety dangers and authorities effectiveness.
Underneath the proposed coverage, 11 international locations had been positioned on a “crimson” listing, that means their residents can be utterly banned from getting into the US. One other 10 international locations had been on an “orange” listing, which might prohibit however not fully block their journey to the US.
Moreover, 22 international locations, together with Liberia, had been positioned on a “yellow” listing and given 60 days to deal with safety deficiencies or face a possible journey ban.
Although the authenticity of the listing was questioned, the Liberian Authorities stated on the time that it was not taking the information frivolously.
Nevertheless, on Wednesday, the Trump administration positioned a full journey ban on 12 international locations together with 7 African international locations. The international locations are Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Congo-Brazzaville, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.
It additionally positioned partial journey restrictions on Sierra Leone, Togo and Burundi – all of which it says pose a danger to its nationwide safety.
The proclamation goes into impact on Monday, 9 June, in line with the White Home.
In an announcement reacting to the US Authorities choice, the African Union Fee (AU) has registered its concern over the transfer to impose new journey restrictions on nationals from seven African international locations.
The AU famous that whereas it acknowledged the sovereign proper of countries to guard their borders and guarantee nationwide safety, it urges the US to use such measures in a manner that’s balanced, based mostly on proof, and according to the longstanding partnership between Africa and the US.
“The fee stays involved concerning the potential damaging affect of such measures on people-to-people ties, academic change, business engagement, and the broader diplomatic relations which were rigorously nurtured over a long time,” the assertion stated.
