Tanzania seeks US consultation to address America’s travel ban

DAR ES SALAAM: THE Tanzanian government has begun formal consultations with the United States to address issues that could lead to Tanzanian citizens be barred from entering the U.S.A.

According to a statement released today by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Information, Culture, Arts and Sports who also serves as the Government Spokesperson Gerson Msigwa, it pointed out that the discussions are focused primarily on improving consular systems to resolve the matter quickly.

“I wish to inform the public that the Government of Tanzania, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has initiated consultations with U.S.A. counterparts to identify areas requiring improvement, particularly consular-related matters, so as to ensure Tanzania is not among the countries whose citizens may face entry restrictions into the United States,” the statement read.

The statement also noted that the government has already taken note of the U.S.A government’s announcement regarding several immigration-related matters that, if not addressed, could lead to Tanzanian citizens being denied entry into the U.S.A.

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The move comes after the U.S.A government issued an internal memo outlining proposed immigration measures that could result in travel restrictions for citizens of 36 additional countries 25 of which are in Africa including Tanzania.

According to The Washington Post, the memo, signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, recommends expanding the travel ban first introduced under President Donald Trump, citing national security concerns.

The proposed list includes a wide swath of African nations with long-standing diplomatic and economic ties to the United States.

Countries listed in the draft include West African nations such as Nigeria, Ghana, and Senegal; Central African countries like Cameroon and the Democratic Republic of the Congo; and East African countries including Ethiopia, Uganda, and Tanzania. Southern African countries such as Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe are also included.

In response, the Tanzanian government has assured the public that it will continue to provide updates as discussions with U.S. A officials’ progress.