The African Union (AU) on Thursday said it was concerned about the consequences of a new travel ban imposed by the United States on seven nations on the continent.

In a statement, the AU said the measures would harm “people-to-people ties, educational exchange, commercial engagement, and broader diplomatic relations” built with the US over decades.

The AU appealed to the US government to adopt a “consultative approach and to engage in constructive dialogue with the countries concerned.”

US President Donald Trump signed the travel ban on Wednesday targeting 12 countries: Somalia, Chad, Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Libya, Sudan, Yemen, Afghanistan, Myanmar, Haiti and Iran.

Trump said it was spurred by a flamethrower attack on a Jewish protest in Colorado by an Egyptian man, even though Egypt was not included in the ban.

He also imposed a partial ban on travellers from seven other countries: Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela. Some temporary work visas from those countries will be allowed.