Global Advocacy for African Affairs, a non-governmental initiative, with international office in the United Kingdom, has commended the recent move by the United States to place visa restriction on corrupt Nigerians and individuals acting to undermine Nigeria’s democracy.
The initiative founded pursuant to the need for sustainable advocacy and solution finding on issues of governance, leadership and enduring development in Africa, while working to uphold the Legacies of Africa’s heroes past, whose lives among others have demonstrated deep craving for humanity, is of the view that this will go a long way in checkmating the unpardonable excesses of politicians as well as help in deepening democracy and development not just in Nigeria but Africa in general, where impunity and political recklessness has become the order of the day.
While applauding this move by the US Department of States, the Executive Director of the Global Advocacy for African Affairs, Chrys Anyanwu insisted that the United States has demonstrated rare leadership and therefore called on the United Kingdom and the European Union to toe the same line as the their US counterparts if they mean well for Nigeria.
Recall that Morgan Ortagus, spokesperson for the Department of State, in a statement on Tuesday said certain individuals were acting with impunity at the expense of other Nigerians. Following their earlier statement in January 24,2019 when the U.S. government hinted on their plans to consider consequences – including visa restrictions – for individuals responsible for undermining the Nigerian democratic process or for organizing election-related violence.
“To that end, the Secretary of State is imposing visa restrictions on Nigerians believed to be responsible for, or complicit in, undermining democracy in Nigeria.
“These individuals have operated with impunity at the expense of the Nigerian people and undermined democratic principles and human rights.”
The Department of State emphasized that the actions announced were specific to certain individuals and not directed at the Nigerians or the newly elected government.
Ortagus added that the decision reflected the Department of State’s commitment to working with the Nigerian government to realize its expressed commitment to end corruption and strengthen democracy, accountability, and respect for human rights.