The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, has described as unfortunate the United States latest planned visa ban on West African States’ citizens.
Tuggar, who spoke yesterday at the opening of the 54th Ordinary Session of the Mediation and Security Council at the Ministerial Level in Abuja, pointed out to the U.S. that the sub-region has lots to offer and should not be discarded just like that.
President Donald Trump is said to be considering imposing fresh hurdles for Nigerian travellers, other West African countries and a host of other African countries.
The affected countries, according to report, are expected to meet new requirements laid down by the State Department within 60 days.
Tuggar, who is also the chair of the Mediation and Security Council, said what the U.S. and other superpowers ought to do right now is to make deals with the sub-region.
He said: “It would, therefore, be remiss of me if I did not mention the apparent recent decision by the Government of the United States to include all ECOWAS countries in its visa restrictions (Togo was on an earlier list). This would be most unfortunate if it comes to pass, because we are a region of opportunities ready to do deals. 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 U.S., but visa restrictions are Non-Tarriff Barriers to deals. 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.
“ECOWAS countries and the U.S. 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?”
Tuggar, who also double as the chair of the Mediation and Security Council, Tuggar said: “In these challenging times, our ability to come together to consult, collaborate and take decisive action remains vital to advancing peace, security and good governance across our region.”
He said the meeting will deliberate on a number of key issues that directly address the stability, cohesion, and resilience of the region.
The meeting is also expected to deliberate on the trends and developments in the transition process in the Republic of Guinea, as well as updates on the preparations for Presidential and Parliamentary elections in two other member states at the last quarter of the year.
The meeting will consider other current challenges, including developments in maritime security, terrorism and transnational organised crime.
Tuggar noted that the council will also review essential elements in the efforts to ensure the operational readiness and sustainability of the regional peace support architecture “with a view to consolidating our presence and improving impact on the ground”.
Also, the issue of humanitarian and early warning domains is expected to be considered.
On his part the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Alieu Omar Touray, in his remarks, said the regional body is making progress in strengthening regional peace and security.
He also listed some of the efforts made by the region in this regard, which include the ECOWAS Standby Force Logistics Concept and the ECOWAS Logistics Depot Policies, the Supplementary Act relating to the West African Police Information System (WAPIS) Regional Platform.
