THE African Union Commission (AUC) welcomes the removal of the travel ban on Sudan by the United States and looks forward to the full normalisation of relations between the two countries.

The AUC 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 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.

In a meeting on September 28 at the African Union Headquarters with the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) against the Boko Haram insurgency, the leadership expressed bewilderment 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 AUC 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.