Categories: Embassies

US embassy in Nigeria imposes visa restrictions to safeguard its democracy and prevent electoral violence

Earlier this week, US Embassy in Nigeria announced travel restrictions on Nigerians who were associated with the electoral violence in the February and March 2019 state elections. The US government imposed visa restrictions on the culprits in July 2019.

On Tuesday, US embassy took to Twitter to share a document containing details of the visa restrictions along with a statement which said, “Today, the Secretary of State is imposing visa restrictions on individuals for their actions surrounding the November 2019 Kogi and Bayelsa State elections and in the run up to the September and October 2020 Edo and Ondo State elections.”

The embassy justified its actions as an attempt to support and protect Nigeria’s democratic process and condemn violence, corruption and any form of suppression.

The US government said it is a supporter of democracy in Nigeria, and remains committed to working “together to advance democracy and respect for human rights, and achieve greater peace and prosperity for both our nations.

The US government in its official statement, emphasising  the visa restriction

Morgan Ortagus, a US State Department spokeswoman, said in a statement announcing the restrictions on Monday that the move would affect “individuals have so far operated with impunity at the expense of the Nigerian people and have undermined democratic principles.”

She added, “We condemn the acts of violence, intimidation, or corruption that harmed Nigerians and undermined the democratic process.”

The US government had earlier urged all the parties involved in the 2019 state elections in the Edo and Ondo to strictly refrain from stirring up electoral violence, or countermining the nation’s democracy, and facilitate free and fair elections, conducted in a transparent and peaceful manner.  The statement added that the U.S Government had already warmed all the stakeholders of state elections in January 2019 that visa restrictions would be carried out on individuals responsible for sabotaging Nigerian democracy, or for inciting election-related violence. The statement read, “Today, the Secretary of State is imposing additional visa restrictions on individuals for their actions surrounding the November 2019 Kogi and Bayelsa State elections, and in the run up to the September and October 2020 Edo and Ondo State elections. These individuals have so far operated with impunity at the expense of the Nigerian people, and have undermined democratic principles.” 

About Rashmi Sacher

With over more than 3 years of writing obituaries for the local paper, Rashmi Sacher has a uniquely strong voice that shines through in her writings.

Rashmi Sacher

With over more than 3 years of writing obituaries for the local paper, Rashmi Sacher has a uniquely strong voice that shines through in her writings.

Recent Posts

Deloitte Implements Layoffs Amid UK Market Challenges: Here’s Why

One of the Big Four accounting and consulting firms, Deloitte, has disclosed a 180 job decrease across its UK advising…

November 21, 2024

ICC issues arrest warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu, Gallant and Hamas commander

Judges at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the Netherlands have just issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin…

November 21, 2024

Russia fires intercontinental ballistic missile in major escalation: Ukraine

The Russian military has reportedly fired an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) during an attack on Ukraine in a major escalation.…

November 21, 2024

Spain Announces Ambitious Plan to Regularize Undocumented Migrants, Addressing Labor Shortages

Spain has recently presented new immigration policy plan, according to which about 300 thousand heads of illegal migrants are to…

November 21, 2024

1,500 Migrants Rush to US Border Ahead of Trump’s Inauguration

In an attempt to walk or find transportation to the U.S. border roughly 1,500 migrants assembled in a new caravan…

November 21, 2024

Hong Kong sentences 45 opposition activists under National Security Law

The special administrative region of Hong Kong has sentenced 45 opposition activists under China's National Security Law. The Human Rights…

November 20, 2024

This website uses cookies.

Read More