The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chair of the Economic Community of West African States Mediation and Security Council, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, has raised concerns over the apparent inclusion of all ECOWAS member states in a new wave of United States visa restrictions, describing the policy as a significant barrier to trade, diplomacy, and regional prosperity.
Speaking at the opening of the 54th Ordinary Session of the Mediation and Security Council at the Ministerial Level in Abuja on Wednesday, Tuggar warned that such restrictions could stifle efforts to deepen US-West Africa relations, particularly at a time when the region is ripe for economic cooperation and security collaboration.
Tuggar framed the policy not only as a diplomatic misstep but also as an economic missed opportunity, especially given ECOWAS’s vast resource base.
He further called on Washington to re-evaluate its approach, stressing that West Africa is not lacking in potential partners.
