Latest news with #OusmaneSonko
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
No basketball training in US for Senegal after team's visas rejected
A training session for the Senegalese women's basketball team in the US has been scrapped, with the West African nation's prime minister saying he cancelled it because some of the squad were denied US visas. Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko said the team would now train in Senegal's capital, Dakar, "in a sovereign and conducive setting". It comes amid reports that the US plans to impose fresh travel restrictions on 25 more African countries, including Senegal. Earlier this month the US announced a ban on citizens from 12 countries, including seven from Africa. There were also partial travel restrictions on nationals from a further seven countries, with three from Africa. It remains unclear why the Senegalese athletes were denied visas, as the US Embassy is yet to publicly comment on the matter. "Informed of the refusal of issuing visas to several members of the Senegal women's national basketball team, I have instructed the Ministry of Sports to simply cancel the ten-day preparatory training initially planned in the United States of America," Sonko said on Thursday in a statement shared to social media. Reports say five Senegalese basketball players and 13 team officials were travelling to meet other members of the squad and their coach who were already in the US, to warm up for the 2025 Women's AfroBasket tournament in Ivory Coast next month. But their visa applications were not approved. Chad halts US visas in revenge for Trump travel ban Trump's tariffs could be death knell for US-Africa trade pact The visa refusals are raising eyebrows because, according to the recently leaked diplomatic cable containing details of the extended travel restrictions, targeted countries were given up to 60 days to address the concerns raised by the US. These reportedly include people overstaying their visas, lack of co-operation with deportations, links to terror attacks in the US, anti-semitism or anti-American activity. Following the reported new travel restrictions, Senegal's foreign ministry urged nationals to comply with their permitted periods of stay in the US. Although it did not directly comment on Senegal's possible inclusion in the latest list of restricted countries, the government statement underscored that diplomatic and consular services were working in close collaboration with the US administration. Meanwhile, Nigeria's Foreign Minister Yussuf Tuggar said the expanded travel bans could impede possible energy and rare earth mineral deals which West African countries can offer the US. The Trump administration insists national security concerns and the high rate of visa overstays from some countries must be addressed. Additional reporting by Natasha Booty Why Baye Fall Muslims worship through work and community Born in France but searching for a future in Africa Senegal starts producing oil as president promises benefits Go to for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica Focus on Africa This Is Africa
BBC News
2 hours ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Senegal women's basketball training in US cancelled after visas rejected
A training session for the Senegalese women's basketball team in the US has been scrapped, with the West African nation's prime minister saying he cancelled it because some of the squad were denied US Minister Ousmane Sonko said the team would now train in Senegal's capital, Dakar, "in a sovereign and conducive setting".It comes amid reports that the US plans to impose fresh travel restrictions on 25 more African countries, including this month the US announced a ban on citizens from 12 countries, including seven from Africa. There were also partial travel restrictions on nationals from a further seven countries, with three from Africa. It remains unclear why the Senegalese athletes were denied visas, as the US Embassy is yet to publicly comment on the matter."Informed of the refusal of issuing visas to several members of the Senegal women's national basketball team, I have instructed the Ministry of Sports to simply cancel the ten-day preparatory training initially planned in the United States of America," Sonko said on Thursday in a statement shared to social say five Senegalese basketball players and 13 team officials were travelling to meet other members of the squad and their coach who were already in the US, to warm up for the 2025 Women's AfroBasket tournament in Ivory Coast next month. But their visa applications were not halts US visas in revenge for Trump travel banTrump's tariffs could be death knell for US-Africa trade pactThe visa refusals are raising eyebrows because, according to the recently leaked diplomatic cable containing details of the extended travel restrictions, targeted countries were given up to 60 days to address the concerns raised by the reportedly include people overstaying their visas, lack of co-operation with deportations, links to terror attacks in the US, anti-semitism or anti-American the reported new travel restrictions, Senegal's foreign ministry urged nationals to comply with their permitted periods of stay in the it did not directly comment on Senegal's possible inclusion in the latest list of restricted countries, the government statement underscored that diplomatic and consular services were working in close collaboration with the US Nigeria's Foreign Minister Yussuf Tuggar said the expanded travel bans could impede possible energy and rare earth mineral deals which West African countries can offer the US. The Trump administration insists national security concerns and the high rate of visa overstays from some countries must be reporting by Natasha Booty More BBC stories about Senegal: Why Baye Fall Muslims worship through work and communityBorn in France but searching for a future in AfricaSenegal starts producing oil as president promises benefits Go to for more news from the African us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica
South China Morning Post
6 hours ago
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Senegal PM's ‘deep gratitude' to China after US refuses women's basketball team's visas
Senegal's Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko expressed his 'deep gratitude' to China on Thursday for its support of the country's women's basketball team, after the United States rejected visas for several members ahead of a planned training camp. The visa refusals come amid US President Donald Trump's administration's immigration crackdown and tightened border controls. Senegal is among 36 nations the US is considering adding to a travel ban barring entry to its territory, according to an internal administration memo. America is set to co-host the 2026 Fifa World Cup with Canada and Mexico, and stage the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. Posting on Facebook, Sonko said he had been told 'about the refusal to issue visas to several members of the Senegalese women's national basketball team'. 01:08 'Best in the world': Trump shows off new giant flagpoles at the White House 'Best in the world': Trump shows off new giant flagpoles at the White House He said he had instructed the country's ministry of sports to 'simply cancel the ten-day preparatory training'.
Sinar Daily
7 hours ago
- Politics
- Sinar Daily
US refuses visa for members of Senegal's women's basketball team
The visa refusals come amid US President Donald Trump's administration's immigration crackdown and tightened border controls. 20 Jun 2025 09:20am Senegal's women's basketball team, Les Lionnes, faced a setback after the US denied visas to several members, leading to the cancellation of their crucial pre-Afrobasket 2025 training camp in the United States. - AFP photo for illustration purpose only DAKAR - The United States rejected visa applications for multiple members of Senegal's women's basketball team which was scheduled to train in the country, the country' prime minister said Thursday, as he cancelled the group's participation in the practice. The visa refusals come amid US President Donald Trump's administration's immigration crackdown and tightened border controls. Senegal's women's basketball team, Les Lionnes, faced a setback after the US denied visas to several members, leading to the cancellation of their crucial pre-Afrobasket 2025 training camp in the United States. - AFP photo for illustration purpose only The United States is set to co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. Senegal is among 36 nations that the United States is considering adding to a travel ban barring entry to its territory, according to an internal administration memo. Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko posted on Facebook that he had been "informed about the refusal to issue visas to several members of the Senegalese women's national basketball team". He said that he had instructed the country's minister of sports to cancel what was to have been a 10-day training camp in the United States. According to Babacar Ndiaye, president of the Senegalese Basketball Federation, the United States only renewed visas for "those who held old visas and rejected new requests". Les Lionnes had been slated to train in the United States ahead of the Afrobasket 2025 tournament in Ivory Coast, which begins in July. A spokesperson for the US State Department told AFP that it was not able to comment on individual cases, while the US Embassy in Senegal did not reply to a request for comment. In addition to pulling the plug on the training, Prime Minister Sonko thanked China for having "awarded dozens of training scholarships for our athletes and their coaches". - AFP More Like This
The Sun
11 hours ago
- Politics
- The Sun
US Denies Visas to Senegal Women's Basketball Team
THE United States rejected visa applications for multiple members of Senegal's women's basketball team which was scheduled to train in the country, the country' prime minister said Thursday, as he cancelled the group's participation in the practice. The visa refusals come amid US President Donald Trump's administration's immigration crackdown and tightened border controls. The United States is set to co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. Senegal is among 36 nations that the United States is considering adding to a travel ban barring entry to its territory, according to an internal administration memo. Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko posted on Facebook that he had been 'informed about the refusal to issue visas to several members of the Senegalese women's national basketball team'. He said that he had instructed the country's minister of sports to cancel what was to have been a 10-day training camp in the United States. According to Babacar Ndiaye, president of the Senegalese Basketball Federation, the United States only renewed visas for 'those who held old visas and rejected new requests'. Les Lionnes had been slated to train in the United States ahead of the Afrobasket 2025 tournament in Ivory Coast, which begins in July. A spokesperson for the US State Department told AFP that it was not able to comment on individual cases, while the US Embassy in Senegal did not reply to a request for comment. In addition to pulling the plug on the training, Prime Minister Sonko thanked China for having 'awarded dozens of training scholarships for our athletes and their coaches'.
