US considers travel ban on African countries, Namibia not on list

The United States (US) government is considering imposing a blanket travel ban on several countries, the majority of which are in Africa, although Namibia is not among these.

The proposed restrictions follow a proclamation issued in early June by US president Donald Trump aimed at protecting the US from security threats and potential terrorist activity.

According to a report by Radio France Internationale (RFI), countries at risk of facing these travel bans include Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Malawi, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Several small island nations and countries in Asia and the Pacific, including Bhutan, Cambodia, Kyrgyzstan, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Sao Tome and Principe, Syria, Tonga, and Vanuatu are also on the list.

“The department has identified 36 countries of concern that may be recommended for full or partial suspension of entry if they do not meet established benchmarks and requirements within 60 days,” a US government cable circulated over the weekend reportedly states.

So far, Namibia is not among the countries flagged for possible inclusion in the ban.

The final list of targeted nations will depend on whether countries address outstanding security and information-sharing concerns within the designated time frame.

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