Nigeria demands permanent seats on Security Council for Africa at 79th UN General Assembly

Nigeria is demanding permanent seats for Africa in the United Nations Security Council.

Addressing the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Sunday, Defence Minister Mohammed Badaru said Nigeria’s long-standing commitment to international peace and security should make it a contender for one of the seats.

BACKGROUND

Africa has long demanded equal representation in what is seen as the most powerful UN body.

Each year, the UN General Assembly elects five new members from different geographical areas to serve a two-year term on the Council.

Africa has three rotating seats on the 15-member council.

On September 12, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the US ambassador to the UN, said: “The problem is that these elected seats do not allow African countries to fully bring their knowledge and voice to the work of the council, to consistently lead on the challenges that affect us all – and affect Africa disproportionately.”

THE CASE FOR NIGERIA AND AFRICA

Badaru said that since its first deployment of troops to Congo in 1960, Nigeria has contributed to 41 peacekeeping missions worldwide.

He added that the country has deployed more than 200,000 troops in UN operations.

“Nigeria has remained unequivocal in its commitment to international peacebuilding and security since the first deployment of its troops to Congo in 1960,” he said.

“To date, Nigeria has contributed to 41 peacekeeping missions worldwide, with over two hundred thousand Nigerian troops serving in UN peacekeeping missions.

“In the context of regional and sub-regional cooperation, Nigeria has been involved in peace operations in field missions in countries including Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea-Bissau, Gambia, Liberia, Mali, Sudan and Sierra Leone, and has contributed significantly in terms of finance, logistics, troops and civilian experts, making it one of the largest African troop and police contributors to United Nations missions.

“It is on this basis that Nigeria continues to push for reform of the United Nations Security Council to give Africa equitable representation on a permanent basis for inclusiveness and deepening of global peace and security.”

DISPERSION OF WEAPONS

Nigeria’s Defence Minister said there is a need for comprehensive strategies to tackle transnational crime and illicit arms trafficking, particularly in the Sahel region.

“We recognise the need for Africa to build strong and professional armies, including to defeat terrorism,” he added.

“Nigeria calls for the operationalization of the African Standby Force (ASF) and the provision of requisite support and resources to ensure the modernization, take-off and effectiveness of a centre of excellence in Africa in the field of counter-terrorism.

“We reiterate the call to strengthen regional and subregional cooperation, build the capacities of Member States, promote cooperation and understanding, as well as reduce tensions and strive for peaceful resolution of disputes to resolve conflicts, particularly in the Middle East and Ukraine.”

Badaru warned that unrestricted access to illicit weapons for non-state actors exacerbates insecurity and instability.

“Now is the time for action as Nigeria grapples with the complexities of organised crime that threaten regional stability and security,” he said.

“We must step up efforts to tackle transnational organised crime and related illicit financial flows through comprehensive strategies including prevention, early detection, protection and law enforcement, especially in the wake of emerging alliances between bandits and terrorists, including kidnapping for ransom and piracy.

“We seize this opportunity to urge the international community to renew its efforts to stem the tide of small arms and light weapons in conflict, particularly in the Sahel region, where unhindered access by non-state actors to illicit arms and light weapons continues to fuel insecurity and instability.”

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