The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has issued a strong condemnation of the reported move by the United States to impose visa restrictions on its member states. This declaration was made by Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chair of the ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, during his opening address at the 54th ordinary session of the mediation and security council at the ministerial level in Abuja.

Reports had surfaced earlier in the week indicating that the US administration was contemplating a visa ban and other travel restrictions on citizens from Nigeria and 24 other African countries. A memo, reportedly signed by the Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, and dispatched to diplomats in affected countries, detailed these considerations. In total, 36 countries were under review for these additional travel restrictions, encompassing all ECOWAS nations, with Togo previously appearing on an earlier list.

Ambassador Tuggar emphatically warned that such restrictions would significantly impede efforts to strengthen US-West Africa relations, asserting that true and sustained prosperity is rooted in unhindered trade and investment. He stated that the inclusion of all ECOWAS countries in these proposed visa restrictions would be “most unfortunate” if it came to fruition, highlighting West Africa as a vibrant region brimming with opportunities for business and partnerships. He specifically noted the presence of critical minerals and rare earths, such as Samarium from Monazite found in his home state of Bauchi, which could be attractive to foreign investment.

Tuggar framed the visa restrictions as “non-tariff barriers to deals,” arguing that ECOWAS countries, having been integral to the international trading system long before the modern state system, are adept at the ‘Art of the Deal’. He emphasized the unique opportunity for ECOWAS and the US to forge a partnership built on mutual need, positioning the West African region as a strategic alternative to more geographically distant and politically divergent energy producers. He challenged the US to consider who would seize the vast opportunities in the region if government officials, technocrats, business executives, and entrepreneurs were prevented from traveling freely to finalize deals.

Beyond the discussion on visa restrictions, the 54th session of the ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council also addressed pressing humanitarian challenges facing the region. These include widespread forced displacement, severe food insecurity, climate-related vulnerabilities, and critical health and protection concerns, all of which necessitate urgent and coordinated action from member states. Ambassador Tuggar underscored the importance of upholding the responsibility to protect and support the most vulnerable populations as peace and security responses are strengthened.

Adding to the discourse, the ECOWAS Commission President, Dr. Oumar Alieu Touray, provided an overview of the committee’s agenda for the session. Key deliberations included reviewing the political and security situation in the region, receiving updates on the transition process in Guinea, and assessing negotiation progress with Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. The agenda also featured discussions on maritime security, counter-terrorism efforts, and the fight against transnational organized crime. Dr. Touray further highlighted the regional body's ongoing advancements in bolstering peace and security, citing initiatives such as the ECOWAS Standby Force Logistics Concept, ECOWAS Logistics Depot Policies, and the West African Police Information System (WAPIS) Regional Platform, alongside updates on national early warning and response centers and measures against money laundering and terrorism financing.