UNGA-79: Nigeria seeks new seat on UN Security Council

Nigerian Defence Minister Mohammed Badaru delivered a speech at the 79th United Nations General Assembly, highlighting Nigeria’s longstanding commitment to international peace and security.

He said at the Summit of the Future interactive dialogue 2: “Enhancing Multilateralism for International Peace and Security” on Sunday that “Since our first deployment in Congo in 1960, Nigeria has contributed to 41 peacekeeping missions worldwide,” he stated, highlighting the deployment of more than 200,000 Nigerian troops in UN operations.

Badaru called for reform of the UN Security Council to ensure that Africa is represented with permanent seats, which he said would enhance global stability.

He said: “Nigeria has remained unequivocal in its commitment to international peacebuilding and security since the first deployment of its troops to Congo in 1960. To date, Nigeria has contributed to 41 peacekeeping operations 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 peacekeeping 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.

“On this basis, Nigeria continues to push for reform of the United Nations Security Council to provide Africa with fair representation on a permanent basis for inclusiveness and deepening global peace and security.

The Defence Minister stressed the importance of building professional African armies to combat terrorism and urged the operationalisation of the African Standby Force.

He also stressed the need for comprehensive strategies to tackle transnational crime and illicit arms trafficking, particularly in the Sahel region. “We recognize the need for Africa to build strong and professional armies, including to defeat terrorism.

“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,” he said.

The Minister reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to combating transnational organised crime.

He stressed the urgent need for comprehensive strategies that include prevention, early detection, protection and law enforcement to tackle the growing alliances between bandits and terrorists.

“We must step up our efforts,” he said, highlighting the alarming trend of kidnapping for ransom and piracy.

Badaru called on the international community to intensify efforts to control the proliferation of small arms and light weapons in conflict areas, particularly in the Sahel region. He warned that unrestricted access to illicit arms by non-state actors exacerbates insecurity and instability.

“The time for action is now,” he urged, 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 the emerging alliance between bandits and terrorists, including kidnapping for ransom and piracy.

“We take 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,” he said.

Badaru concluded his speech by reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to supporting UN efforts in the fight against terrorism and promoting world peace.