Within the continent, there are African countries that are on the draft travel ban, while South Sudan, Sierra Leone, and Eritrea could face intense visa restrictions

By Chuol Chanyong

South Sudan on Saturday found itself on a draft list of proposed countries limited from traveling to the United States.

According to the report, President Donald Trump had expanded the scope of the travel ban from his first term to 43 countries.

Despite Trump’s failure to reintroduce the travel ban on the first day of his second term, as he promised, on January 20, he did issue an executive order directing cabinet members to draft a list of countries that should face full or partial travel restrictions as their vetting and screening is so deficient within 60 days.

“We will not allow people to enter from some countries where there is tremendous terror,” Trump said on Saturday.

Trump is formulating a travel ban in the United States with three levels targeting 43 countries

The draft list iss separated into three sections — red, orange, and yellow — to denote the level of restriction.

The “red” list includes 11 countries whose citizens would be entirely forbidden from entering the US. These include: Afghanistan, Bhutan, Cuba, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Venezuela and Yemen.

Ten countries whose citizens will be limited from entering but not entirely banned, meaning they are required to have specific visas, were on the “orange” list. In Africa, the list includes South Sudan, Sierra Leone, and Eritrea, countries that will be subjected to intense visa restrictions

The countries to face a total ban are Somalia, Sudan, and Libya.

The “yellow” list contains 22 countries, mostly African nations, that the Trump administration is giving 60 days to address its concerns over alleged “deficiencies.” If these nations don’t comply, they risk being placed on the red or orange lists.

The countries include: Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Brazzaville, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kinshasa, and Equatorial Guinea, Gambia, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Sao Tome, and Zambia have 60 days for their fate to be decided.

Trump proposal comes barely a week after South Sudan assured the international community and the diplomatic mission of the country safety amid the travel advisories issued by the US, urging non-emergency staff to leave the country.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in the Republic of South Sudan would like to reassure the international community on recent advisories issued by some countries. The situation in South Sudan is still calm and safe,” Ambassador Apuk Ayuel Mayen, the spokesperson for the South Sudan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a press conference.

“His Excellency the President of the Republic reaffirmed his commitment to peace and stability,” Ambassador Ayuel stated, assuring those planning to travel to South Sudan that the country is open and safe for visitors, investors, and development partners.

In Africa, the list of the ten countries whose citizens will be limited from entering but not entirely banned includes South Sudan, Sierra Leone, and Eritrea, countries that will be subjected to intense visa restrictions.