Nigeria will not yield. “We already have enough problems (…) It would be unfair for us to accept 300 Venezuelans expelled,” said Foreign Minister of this country of Western Africa of 230 million inhabitants.
Yusuf Tuggar denounces “a considerable pressure exerted by the United States” so that his country granted to welcome people, for some “directly out of prison.”
The Chief of Nigerian diplomacy talks about pressures in particular because Washington has just established new visa restrictions. The titles issued to the Nigerians will now be strictly in a single entry and will not exceed a period of 3 months.
Reception plan
Last week, in the White House, Donald Trump welcomed the presidents of Liberia, Senegal, Guinea-Bissau, Mauritania and Gabón. He presented a migrant reception plan in their territory.
According to the Wall Street Journal, in a document that was sent before the meeting, the State Department calls them to accept the “dignified, safe and fast transfer of the United States” of third -party citizens.
He asks them to commit not to send them back “in their country of origin or in their country of residence until a final decision has been made” about their asylum requests in the United States.
The African leaders in question did not comment after the meeting. Some would fear sanctions if they refused to cooperate. Especially a floating threat: its countries, with the exception of Guinea-Bissau, could be added to the list of those already affected by the prohibition of entering the United States.
After Central America, Africa
Donald Trump wishes to conclude in Africa the same type of agreement in Central America. Panama welcomed hundreds of migrants expelled from the United States, by many from the Middle East. In March, Salvador imprisoned several hundred and alleged members of Venezuelan gangs on their ground.
But Trump, who promised to expel a record number of people in an irregular situation during his campaign, needs more partners.
At the beginning of the month, eight migrants in an irregular situation were expelled to Sudan from the South, where the UN fears a resumption of the civil war. Of these eight men, seven come from Mexico, Cuba, Vietnam, Laos and Burma.
The US administration has argued from the beginning that has the power to expel foreign citizens to other third countries if their country of origin refuses to welcome them. In June, the Supreme Court stored from its side.
Nigeria is the only country that has opposed Washington’s demand so far. Will others also refuse to give in? What consequences then for these nations that already pay the price of the end of American aid?
Source: BFM TV
