Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru has called for reform of the United Nations Security Council, asserting that Africa should be represented with permanent seats to enhance global stability.
Addressing the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, Badaru highlighted Nigeria’s extensive contributions to UN peacekeeping operations.
Speaking at the Summit of the Future during the dialogue on “Enhancing Multilateralism for International Peace and Security,” Badaru stated, “Since our first deployment in the Congo in 1960, Nigeria has contributed to 41 peacekeeping missions globally,” noting that over 200,000 Nigerian troops had been deployed in UN operations over the decades.
Badaru pointed to Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to international peacebuilding and security, saying, “Nigeria has remained unequivocal in its commitment to international peacebuilding and security, since the first engagement of its troops in the Congo in 1960.”
He further emphasised the significance of Nigeria’s role in regional conflicts. “Under regional and sub-regional cooperation, Nigeria has been involved in peacekeeping operations in Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea-Bissau, The Gambia, Liberia, Mali, Sudan, and Sierra Leone, among others.”
The Defence Minister used the opportunity to press for UN Security Council reform, arguing that Africa’s exclusion from permanent membership undermines global peace efforts.
“Nigeria continues to call for the reform of the United Nations Security Council to give just representation to Africa on a permanent basis for inclusivity and deepening of global peace and security,” he said.
Badaru also underscored the importance of strengthening African military capacity to fight terrorism.
He stressed the need for the operationalisation of the African Standby Force (ASF) and the establishment of a Counter-Terrorism Centre of Excellence in Africa.
“We recognise the need for Africa to build strong and professional armies, in order to, among other things, defeat terrorism.
“Nigeria calls for the operationalisation of the African Standby Force (ASF), and provision of requisite support and resources to ensure the upgrade, take-off and effectiveness of a Centre of Excellence in Africa on issues of counterterrorism,” he noted.
On the issue of transnational crime, the Defence Minister warned of rising alliances between bandits and terrorists, highlighting the impact of kidnapping for ransom and acts of piracy.
He called for a comprehensive approach to tackling organised crime, stating, “We must scale up our efforts,” referring to the urgency of combating illegal arms trafficking in the Sahel region.
Badaru further urged the international community to intensify efforts to control the proliferation of small arms and light weapons in conflict zones, particularly in the Sahel.
“We seize this opportunity to urge the international community to renew efforts to stem the tide of small arms and light weapons in conflict, especially within the Sahel region where unfettered access by non-state actors to illicit arms and light weapons continues to foster insecurity and instability,” he said.
He reaffirmed Nigeria’s dedication to supporting UN initiatives in promoting global peace and combating terrorism.
