U.S. Urges Africa to Take Venezuelan Deportees
President Nigeria’s Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar slammed U.S. efforts to shift Venezuelan deportees to African countries, calling the push “unrealistic” and ill-timed amid Nigeria's internal challenges. Speaking on July 11 in Brazil, Tuggar highlighted Nigeria’s population of over 230 million and emphasized that the nation cannot take in migrants when domestic socioeconomic issues demand full attention .
The tension follows a recent White House initiative urging countries like Liberia, Senegal, Guinea‑Bissau, Mauritania, and Gabon to participate in “safe and dignified transfers” of Venezuelan nationals unable to be deported to their home country . Tuggar reiterated that each African country operates under unique capacities and should not be pressured into acceptances that could destabilize local communities.
Though the U.S. framed the deportation diplomacy as a solution to its immigration backlog, many African diplomats fear that the policy lacks clarity and risks shifting a U.S. domestic problem overseas. African leaders are now doubling down on strengthening regional migration frameworks at the upcoming AU summit.
Analysts note the incident underscores a broader geopolitical interplay: the U.S. seeks relief on its immigration front, while African nations aim to retain sovereignty over migration and humanitarian policy.
I'm Adedayo Obadina
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