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US VISA RESTRICTIONS ON ECOWAS NATIONS THREATEN REGIONAL PROSPERITY
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CapitalTimesNews / 4 days
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- 3 min read
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has condemned the United States’ proposed visa restrictions on its member states, warning that such a policy would significantly hinder trade, diplomacy, and regional prosperity. Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chair of the ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, expressed these concerns during the 54th Ordinary Session of the Mediation and Security Council at the Ministerial Level in Abuja. “It would be most unfortunate if it comes to pass, because we are a region of opportunities ready to do deals,” Tuggar said. “We possess critical minerals and even rare earths such as Samarium from the Monazite found in my home State of Bauchi. We would like to do deals with the US, but visa restrictions are non-tariff barriers to deals.” Tuggar emphasized that ECOWAS countries and the US have a rare opportunity to create a partnership based on principles of need. “We are also a strategic alternative to more distant and politically divergent energy producers. So, we will do deals for our prosperity; the only question is with whom? Who takes up the opportunities in our region by allowing government officials and technocrats, business executives and entrepreneurs to travel freely back and forth to close the deals?” he queried. The proposed visa restrictions are part of a broader executive order signed by US President Donald Trump, targeting countries with high instances of terrorism threats, visa overstays, or unreliable identity verification systems. The affected countries are expected to meet new requirements laid down by the State Department within 60 days or face travel restrictions. According to Tuggar, the ECOWAS region is rich in opportunities and should not be discarded. “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,” he added. The meeting, attended by ECOWAS member states, deliberated on key issues directly addressing the stability, cohesion, and resilience of the region. These include trends and developments in the transition process in Guinea, preparations for presidential and parliamentary elections in two other member states, maritime security, terrorism, and transnational organized crime. ECOWAS Commission President Dr. Alieu Touray highlighted the regional body’s progress in strengthening regional peace and security. He listed efforts made by the region, including the ECOWAS Standby Force Logistics Concept, ECOWAS Logistics Depot Policies, and the Supplementary Act relating to the West African Police Information System (WAPIS) Regional Platform.
