Tillerson, Chad discuss U.S. travel ban

N’DJAMENA, CHAD >> On an unlikely visit to dusty and desolate Chad, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Monday told the African nation’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 counter terrorism partner, was overshadowed by palpable hurt and resentment over Chad’s position on an inglorious list that includes North Korea, Iran and Venezuela. Tillerson, who became themost 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.

Tillers on said the visa restrictions werenecessary “because of all the conflict that exists on Chad’s borders,” even as he gave the country credit for “many, many important positive steps” to comply. He said the United States later this month would prepare a report on Chad’s progress that Trump would review in April.