Published on November 21, 2025
In 2024–2025, several countries across different continents faced significant border issues due to political unrest, security concerns, and migration challenges. In Africa, Nigeria saw sporadic border closures with Benin, Niger, Chad, and Cameroon due to regional instability. Niger closed its borders with Benin amid political changes, while Mozambique temporarily shut the Ressano Garcia border with South Africa due to protests. In the Middle East, Israel seized the Rafah crossing with Gaza in May 2024, halting movement. India also ended its visa-free movement with Myanmar due to security concerns. Europe experienced migration-related border closures, with Finland closing its border with Russia and Poland sealing its crossings with Belarus during military exercises. In the Americas, the U.S. temporarily closed the Lukeville Port of Entry due to migrant surges, while Ecuador tightened border controls with Peru during a state of emergency. These closures disrupted trade and travel, showcasing the impact of border disputes on global movement.
| Country/area | Border issue and period (2024–25) | Evidence |
| Nigeria (West Africa) | The Government of Canada’s travel advisory notes that land border crossings between Nigeria and its neighbours (Benin, Niger, Chad and Cameroon) can close at short notice. Travellers are warned that these closures may happen unexpectedly, so road travel may be disrupted. | Government of Canada travel advisory for Nigeria. |
| Niger – Benin border | After the July 2023 coup in Niger, ECOWAS sanctions were lifted in early‑2024, but Niger’s military regime continued to keep its border with Benin closed. The World Bank’s 2025 country overview reports that “the border with Benin remains closed,” which continues to disrupt commercial trade and formal transit links. The closure has persisted through 2024 and into 2025 for security reasons. | World Bank country overview for Niger. |
| Mozambique – South Africa | In November 2024, violence between police and protesters in Maputo damaged border infrastructure and forced closure of the Ressano Garcia/Lebombo border crossing, which connects Mozambique with South Africa. A U.S. Embassy security alert reported that the violence “closed the Ressano Garcia/Lebombo border crossing” and warned travellers to avoid the area until authorities reopened the border post. | U.S. Embassy Maputo security alert. |
| Country/area | Border issue and period | Evidence |
| Gaza (Palestine) – Egypt/Israel | During the Israel–Hamas conflict, Israel seized the Rafah crossing on 6 May 2024. The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) notes that border crossings out of Gaza have been closed since Israel took control of the Rafah crossing on 6 May 2024, leaving no exit routes for foreign nationals. The closure continued through 2024 and remained in effect in 2025, preventing civilians from leaving Gaza. | FCDO travel advice for Israel and Palestine. |
| India – Myanmar | India has historically allowed residents within 16 km on either side of its border with Myanmar to move without visas. In February 2024, India’s home minister announced that the government would scrap the Free Movement Regime (FMR) and fence the 1,643‑km border for internal security. Reuters reported that India would end the visa‑free movement policy to maintain internal security and preserve the demographic structure of its northeastern states. This change restricts cross‑border travel for communities that previously crossed freely and marks a significant tightening of the border in 2024. | Reuters report on India ending the FMR with Myanmar |
| Rafah (Egypt–Gaza border) | See Gaza row above. |
| Country/area | Border issue and period | Evidence |
| Finland – Russia | Finland closed all passenger crossing points along its 1,340‑km eastern border with Russia at the end of 2023 because the government said Russia was orchestrating a migrant crisis. Reuters reports that Finland’s parliament in June 2025 extended emergency legislation allowing authorities to reject asylum applications and to keep the border crossings closed. The closure remained in place through 2024 and 2025. | Reuters article on Finland extending emergency migration law. |
| Poland – Belarus | On 12 September 2025 the Polish government announced that all road and rail crossings on its border with Belarus would be closed until further notice due to Russian‑Belarusian Zapad 2025 military exercises. The official statement from Poland’s Ministry of the Interior and Administration explains that the border will remain closed until the safety of Polish citizens is guaranteed and that the shutdown affects passenger cars, lorries and three freight rail crossings. | Polish Ministry of the Interior and Administration announcement. |
| Country/area | Border issue and period | Evidence |
| United States – Mexico (Lukeville, Arizona) | In late 2024 (with operations suspended into early 2025), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) temporarily closed the Lukeville Port of Entry on the Arizona–Sonora border to reassign personnel to manage a surge of migrants. CBP’s official statement notes that northbound and southbound pedestrian and vehicle traffic at Lukeville Port of Entry will be suspended until further notice, and travellers should use the Nogales or San Luis ports instead. | CBP media release on Lukeville Port of Entry closure. |
| Ecuador – Peru and Colombia | Following a 60‑day state of emergency declared on 8 January 2024, Ecuador’s Interior Ministry imposed stricter controls at land borders. The U.S. Embassy in Peru reports that all foreign citizens entering Ecuador by land from Colombia or Peru must provide an apostilled criminal‑record certificate during the emergency period. This requirement applies only to land border crossings (air travellers are exempt) and effectively restricts cross‑border travel for travellers without the documents. | U.S. Embassy Lima security alert[. |
These examples illustrate that border issues in 2024–2025 were concentrated in regions affected by conflict, migration surges or security concerns. Official government advisories and verified news reports show that the closures or restrictions were usually temporary but significantly impacted travelers.
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