The military-led government of the Republic of Niger has announced restrictions on where European nationals can obtain entry visas into the country, citing the persistent difficulties Nigerien citizens face when applying for visas to Europe.
In a diplomatic note, Niger’s Foreign Minister, Bakary San-gare, stated that the new policy was a reciprocal measure aimed at addressing unequal visa access. He lamented that Nigeriens often have to travel to neighboring countries to complete visa applications, due to the refusal of certain European embassies to process them in Niamey [nee.aa.may].
The government had previously requested that European embassies stationed in Niger be permitted to issue visas directly, but according to San-gare, the request went unanswered.
As a result, only Niger’s embassies in Geneva, Ankara, and Moscow are now authorized to issue entry visas to citizens of several European nations. The visa restriction policy reveals the junta’s ongoing efforts to assert sovereignty in its international dealings and to challenge what it perceives as discriminatory practices by European governments.
