OPINION
By Chido Nwangwu
Chido Nwangwu writes about the recent move by the United States government to make good its plan to impose visa restrictions on individuals found undermining the 2023 general election in Nigeria
International relations and diplomacy, usually involve
engagement and deployment of a realistic mix of "carrots and sticks."
Especially when the very powerful and influential countries seek to protect
their interests.
Due to the decades of corrupt, ruinous and incompetent
governance of the leadership of these "developing" countries,
particularly in Africa, they have become dependent on their preferred
destinations to travel abroad for individual but expensive lifestyles and basic
healthcare needs.
One of those preferred destinations is the United States of
America.
For routine checkups, these leaders trust the American and
European-based medical doctors, it seems, much more than those based in Nigeria
and most of the African countries.
Medical and healthcare professionals from the same countries
also practice across the United States as top-ranked leaders in the industry.
But you need visas or other requisite immigration documents
to travel into the U.S. Unlike into some of the African countries where the
borders are not effectively and strictly managed or protected.
On April 26, 2021, the U.S Secretary of State, Antony
Blinken announced his meeting, virtually, with the President of Nigeria,
retired army General Muhammadu Buhari.
USAfricaonline.com reported Blinken's highlight of the
United States and Nigeria's "shared goals of strengthening democratic
governance, building lasting security, and promoting economic ties and
diversification."
I think, in realistic pursuit of the "shared goals of
strengthening democratic governance" component, the United States has
reiterated its position that people involved in undermining the electoral
process in Nigeria will face visa restrictions.
Consequently, Blinken has continued to follow-up the
announcement with his statement released by the U.S Mission in Abuja on
Wednesday, January 25, 2023 restating that the U.S supports Nigeria's
democratic process and desire to uphold the rule of law.
Here: "Today, I am announcing visa restrictions on
specific individuals in Nigeria for undermining the democratic process in a
recent Nigerian elections."
Drawing from the laws of the United States, he noted that;
"Under Section 212(a)(3)C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, these
individuals will be found ineligible for visas to the United States under a
policy to restrict visas of those believed to be responsible for, or complicit
in, undermining democracy in Nigeria.
"Certain family members of such persons may also be
subject to these restrictions. Additional persons who undermine the democratic
process in Nigeria--including in the lead-up to, during, and following
Nigeria's 2023 elections--may be found ineligible for U.S. visas under this
policy."
He underlined the point that "The visa restrictions
announced today are specific to certain individuals and are not directed at the
Nigerian people or the Government of Nigeria. The decision to impose visa
restrictions reflects the commitment of the United States to support Nigerian
aspirations to combat corruption and strengthen democracy and the rule of
law," he added.
Let me note the fact that some of the children and relatives
of those who make living and life very difficult in Nigeria are on different
forms/types of U.S visas or other immigration facilities from other countries.
This seems, again, like a reasonable use of "carrots and sticks."
-Dr Nwangwu, is Founder of the first African-owned,
U.S-based newspaper on the internet, USAfricaonline.com