Tillerson: US mulls lifting travel ban on Chad

The United States is mulling a lift to the travel ban in place on Chad, according to Secretary of State Rex Tillerson.

Tillerson made the comments during his first trip to Africa as the nation’s top diploamt, Reuters reported. The secretary of state said Chad is an “important partner” in the fight against terrorist groups and the country had made crucial steps to increase power over its security apparatus.

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“These steps I think are going to allow us to begin to normalize the travel relationship with Chad,” said Tillerson, as reported by the news outlet.

Tillerson visited N’Djamena, Chad’s capital, and met with the country’s leader, President Idriss Deby.

Tillerson is reportedly cutting his Africa trip short due to scheduling demands. He also canceled events in Kenya during the trip due to illness.

In September, the Trump administration added Chad, a key counterterrorism ally, to its updated travel ban.

The various versions of Trump’s travel ban have faced opposition in U.S. courts. The Supreme Court in April is slated to take up the latest version.