The victory of former US President Donald Trump in the recent election has sparked concern and uncertainty in several African nations, particularly those with significant Muslim populations, which were directly impacted by his administration’s controversial travel restrictions.
In 2017, Trump signed an executive order imposing a 90-day ban on travelers and refugees from six predominantly Muslim countries—Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen—citing national security risks. The decision was widely criticized as discriminatory, with critics arguing that it disproportionately targeted Muslim-majority countries. Iraq was also initially included but was later exempted following diplomatic protests and security guarantees from Baghdad.
The travel ban not only disrupted personal lives and family reunifications but also had far-reaching implications for business, education, and diplomatic ties between the US and several African nations. Somali families, already facing the challenges of conflict and instability, were particularly affected as travel restrictions curtailed their ability to visit relatives in the US or pursue educational and professional opportunities.
Trump’s policies extended beyond the ban to include visa restrictions on citizens from Nigeria, the continent’s most populous country, as well as Eritrea, Myanmar, and Kyrgyzstan—nations with large Muslim minorities facing persecution. Sudan and Tanzania, both with sizable Muslim populations, were also excluded from the US Diversity Visa Lottery Program, which offers a chance at permanent residency to individuals from underrepresented countries.
According to Mohamed Husein Gaas, director of the Raad Peace Research Institute, these policies left deep scars across affected countries. “The reaction in Somalia and other impacted African nations has been one of mixed apprehension and concern. Many still remember the devastating effects of the travel ban, which disrupted families, businesses, and strained bilateral relations,” Gaas said.
He added that the travel restrictions had far-reaching consequences, particularly for family reunification, educational opportunities, and professional growth. Some remain hopeful that such measures will not be reinstated, while others are fearful of renewed unpredictability in US-Africa relations should Trump return to office.
Gaas also highlighted public resentment over the perception that the travel restrictions unfairly targeted Muslim-majority countries, with some viewing them as an attack on their very identity. He warned that the reimposition of such policies would further alienate African nations, possibly worsening relations with the US.
There is also concern that Trump may revive these restrictions, given his previous justification for the ban, which he framed as necessary for national security. Gaas suggested that if Trump’s administration adopts similar policies, affected countries could once again find themselves under scrutiny. However, any decision will likely be influenced by broader political factors and US foreign policy priorities, he added.
Anwar Abdifatah Bashir, executive director of the East African Institute for Peace and Governance, believes that Trump may have learned from the backlash and would approach his second term with greater political awareness. “Trump received significant support from Muslim and Black communities in the US, which may influence his policy direction,” Bashir said. Still, he warned that security concerns could prompt a return to the controversial restrictions.
Tanzanian analyst Denis Konga expressed uncertainty about the future of US policies toward Africa, noting that Trump’s unpredictable nature makes it difficult to anticipate whether the restrictions will be reimposed. “It’s unfortunate that we cannot predict with certainty, but there are mixed reactions to Trump’s victory in Tanzania,” Konga said.
Meanwhile, a Nigerian expert, who chose to remain anonymous, expressed fear that Trump’s return could result in new, even more stringent travel restrictions. “We are already on edge here in Nigeria, not knowing what new policies he might impose on us this time,” the expert warned.
During his first term, Trump largely sidelined Africa, focusing instead on competition with China and Russia, and limiting engagement with the continent. Rashweat Mukundu, an Africa adviser at International Media Support, described Trump’s first term as one where Africa was largely deprioritized, with minimal effort to build stronger diplomatic and economic ties.
Experts agree that while Africa’s geopolitical significance is growing, Trump’s approach to the continent is likely to remain transactional, prioritizing US economic and security interests over long-term partnerships. Whether this will lead to meaningful change in US policies toward African nations, especially Muslim-majority countries, remains uncertain.
As Trump’s return to power looms, many African leaders and citizens are left wondering whether their nations will once again face the brunt of policies that disproportionately affect their Muslim populations.
