US Congressman Demands Travel Ban on Mauritius and 2 other African Nations

A US lawmaker has formally called on the Trump administration to impose sanctions on Mauritius, Madagascar, and the Seychelles, accusing the African nations of bowing to Chinese pressure by blocking the Taiwanese President’s aircraft from their airspace.

Republican Representative Tom Tiffany issued the demand on Thursday, 23 April, following reports that President Lai Ching-te was denied overflight rights while travelling to Eswatini.

According to Pan Men-an, the Taiwanese presidential secretary-general, the three nations rescinded their permits due to economic coercion from Beijing.

Targeted Measures

In a letter addressed to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin, Mr Tiffany described the incident as an “irresponsible action” that violates international civil aviation norms.

The Congressman specifically recommended that Mauritius be placed on a US travel ban list under Section 212(f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act.

He further highlighted Mauritius’ ongoing efforts to regain control of the Chagos Islands, noting the strategic importance of the US military base at Diego Garcia.

Regional Consequences

The proposed retaliatory measures extend across the Indian Ocean region:

• Madagascar: Mr Tiffany has called for the freezing of more than $100 million in US aid, which was only recently announced by the American embassy in Antananarivo.
• Seychelles: The lawmaker urged the White House to suspend all discussions regarding the country’s potential inclusion in the US Visa Waiver Programme.

“Dangerous Precedent”

Speaking from Plover, Wisconsin, Mr Tiffany stated that the decision to block the flight—allegedly made “at the request of Beijing”—could set a dangerous precedent for international travel.

He urged the US government to take “appropriate measures” to ensure the three “allies of Communist China” are held accountable for their actions.

Source: Defi Media