Ban aside, Tillerson says Chadians welcome in U.S.

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Monday told Chad’s citizens they’re welcome in the United States. It wasn’t enough to overcome a Trump administration travel ban that Chad’s top diplomat declared an injustice.

Tillerson’s message of growing

U.S. cooperation with Chad, a key counterterrorism partner, was overshadowed by its position on a list that includes North Korea, Iran and Venezuela. Tillerson, who became the most senior U.S. official to set foot in Chad, expressed hope the restrictions will be lifted.

“The placement of Chad in this list was an injustice done to Chad,” Foreign Minister Mahamat Zene Cherif said. He said Chadian President Idriss Deby had “expressed his incomprehension” to Tillerson about the restrictions.