US Embassy Cuts Routine Services, Nigeria Among Affected Countries

US Embassy Cuts Routine Services, Nigeria Among Affected Countries

The United States’ embassies and consulates around the world have announced a reduction in their public communications because of the ongoing government shutdown in Washington.

In official announcements distributed through their communication channels, the diplomatic missions stated that they would halt regular updates and share only urgent information, especially regarding safety and security issues.

The notice states, “Currently, scheduled passport and visa transit services within the United States as well as at U.S. Embassies and Consulates abroad will persist during the appropriations lapse, contingent on situational allowances.”

“This account will remain inactive until full operations resume, except for urgent safety and security updates.”

The statement was issued in embassies located in Nigeria, Ghana, London, and Bangladesh.

The announcement coincides with the suspension of normal operations in parts of the US federal government due to a budget standoff in Congress.

Funding was halted after President Donald Trump’s Republican Party and the opposition Democrats failed to reach an agreement on a spending bill.

The shutdown took place at midnight.

The spending dispute is particularly intense due to Trump significantly reducing the size of the federal government over the past nine months.

During his first term, Trump was in charge during the most recent government shutdown.

The shutdown started at the end of 2018 and concluded in January 2019. Spanning 38 days, it became the longest shutdown in U.S. history.

The decision to call it off came after 10 air traffic controllers failed to report for duty, which temporarily shut down La Guardia Airport in New York.

Meanwhile, Trump has warned of potential widespread layoffs. This action could exacerbate the ongoing shutdown.