• 19 Jun, 2025
• Faith Kegh
• No comment

Tuggar Criticizes Planned U.S. Visa Restrictions on West African Countries.

Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, has expressed strong disapproval of the United States’ reported plan to impose new visa restric

tions on citizens of West African nations.

Speaking at the 54th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council at Ministerial Level in Abuja, Tuggar described the proposed policy as “unfortunate” and counterproductive.

Reports suggest that former U.S. President Donald Trump is considering stricter travel rules for Nigeria and other countries in the region. These nations would be expected to meet new U.S. State Department requirements within 60 days.

Tuggar, who also chairs the ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council, emphasized the region’s economic potential and its strategic importance. He argued that instead of building travel barriers, the U.S. should be engaging the region in mutually beneficial partnerships.

“It would be regrettable if all ECOWAS countries were subjected to visa restrictions,” Tuggar said. “Our region is full of opportunities. We hold valuable resources, including rare earth minerals like Samarium found in Bauchi State. What we need are deals, not restrictions. Visa limitations become non-tariff barriers to such deals.”

He highlighted ECOWAS’ long-standing integration into global trade, saying: “We’ve been part of international commerce even before the modern state system. Now, we offer the U.S. and other powers a chance to partner with us, especially as a more stable and closer energy source than others.”

Tuggar stressed the importance of unrestricted travel for government officials, businesspeople, and entrepreneurs to close cross-border deals and enhance regional prosperity.

  Regional Security and Political Developments

Tuggar also spoke on broader security and governance matters facing West Africa, calling for unity and decisive action to address them.

He noted that the council would review key issues affecting stability in the region, including political transitions in Guinea and upcoming elections in two other ECOWAS member states.

Other topics on the agenda included maritime security, terrorism, and transnational crime. The council would also assess measures to strengthen the region’s peacekeeping capacity and humanitarian response systems.

  Progress in Regional Peace Initiatives

President of the ECOWAS Commission, Alieu Omar Touray, echoed Tuggar’s comments and affirmed that ECOWAS continues to advance peace and security across the region.

He pointed to several initiatives aimed at strengthening regional cooperation, such as the ECOWAS Standby Force Logistics Concept, the establishment of logistics depots, and the implementation of the West African Police Information System (WAPIS).

Faith Kegh

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