Nigeria's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairman of the ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council, Yusuf Tuggar, has strongly criticized proposed United States visa restrictions on West African countries, warning that such measures could severely undermine trade, diplomatic relations, and regional economic development.
Speaking at the opening of the 54th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council at the Ministerial Level in Abuja on Wednesday, Tuggar cautioned that the new restrictions, reportedly affecting all ECOWAS member states, risk weakening US engagement in a region that is ready for economic and security partnerships.
"It would be most unfortunate if it comes to pass, because we are a region of opportunities ready to do deals. We would like to do deals with the US, but visa restrictions are non-tariff barriers to deals," he stated.
Economic Implications of Restrictions
The Foreign Minister emphasized that the proposed restrictions would not only be diplomatically counterproductive but would also represent a significant economic setback. He highlighted that the ECOWAS region is rich in critical resources that could strengthen global supply chains.
"We possess critical minerals and even rare earths such as Samarium from the Monazite found in my home State of Bauchi. We in this part of the world are students of the Art of the Deal and have been part of the international trading system even before the modern state system," Tuggar noted.
While urging Washington to reconsider its approach, the minister underscored that ECOWAS remains open to global partnerships but will not wait indefinitely for favorable conditions.
Countries Affected and Reasons
According to reports, the United States is considering imposing a new wave of travel bans on several African countries, including Nigeria. A memo indicates that affected nations—among them Benin, Ghana, Côte d'Ivoire, Senegal, and Liberia—are expected to meet updated requirements from the State Department within 60 days.
The memo cited several concerns as justification for the potential restrictions, including a lack of reliable civil documentation, weak cooperation with US authorities, and issues related to identity verification.
This development comes at a time when ECOWAS is seeking to strengthen its position in global trade and security partnerships, making the timing of these potential restrictions particularly concerning for regional leaders.
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