Nigeria Endorses AU’s Reforms On Peace, Security, Others

Nigeria has endorsed the proposed institutional reforms in the African Union (AU), with a focus on peace and security governance, strengthening democratic institutions and ensuring stronger cooperation with international financial institutions and the private sector.

The country also aligned with proposed restructurings aimed at boosting domestic and regional resource mobilisation for affordable development financing, and with the adoption of a continental framework to reduce inequality, built on credible data, social protection, productive jobs, and inclusive industrial policies, among others.

Nigeria’s position was presented by President Bola Tinubu through Vice President Kashim Shettima, who represented him at the closed session of the 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Shettima’s submissions on behalf of the Nigerian leader followed the presentation of the report on the African Union’s thematic agenda items, comprising peace and security; integration and sustainable development; and Africa’s voice, among other areas.

In combating transnational organised crime and boosting the continent’s blue economy, the Vice President commended the Peace and Security Council for endorsing the Combined Maritime Task Force for the Gulf of Guinea as a standby force capable of providing rapid, coordinated maritime security responses across the region.

According to a statement by his spokesman, Stanley Nkwocha, Senator Shettima pledged Nigeria’s commitment to implementing its part of the agreement for the establishment of the force and the strengthening of the African Union Standby Force.

He said, “The proliferation of small arms and light weapons remains the greatest cause of armed conflict and violent extremism in our region. This is why our union must refocus its attention on curbing these trends.

“As the host of the headquarters of this task force, Nigeria will provide the necessary infrastructure, including office facilities, ships, and helicopters, as well as temporary staff, to ensure that the force remains effective. We remain committed to the full implementation of our own part of the agreement,” he said.

Noting Nigeria’s position on the review of the criteria for membership of the Peace and Security Council, the Vice President said the nation supports the innovative proposal to include a clause on the criteria for membership of the Peace and Security Council.

“As envisaged in Article 5 of the protocol establishing the Peace and Security Council, we also support the inclusion of modalities for cooperation between the African Union and its regional economic commissions and regional mechanisms.

“It is our view that this is necessary to ensure predictability and effectiveness in our peace and security governance. We also agree on the imperative to strengthen coordination between the peace and the security council and the C-10 committee (Committee of 10 Heads of State and Government on the Reform of the United Nations Security Council), particularly at the ambassadorial level,” he added.

On democracy, VP Shettima announced Nigeria’s support for reforms proposed for strengthening democratic institutions in Africa, even as he commended “AU’s efforts to address unconstitutional change of government and wish to underscore the imperative for good governance”.

He also announced that President Tinubu and Nigeria endorsed the AU’s decision to lift the suspension on Gabon’s and Guinea’s participation in the union’s activities.

“Nigeria welcomes Gabon and Guinea back to our union after the completion of their political transitions. We call on other countries with protracted political transitions to follow the approach to return to the fold,” the Vice President declared.