Nigeria demands seat on UN Security Council

Nigeria is calling for proper representation in the United Nations Security Council.

It was argued that the organisation deserves a seat on the global security body given its contribution to at least 41 peacekeeping missions worldwide and its deployment of more than 200,000 Nigerian troops in UN operations.

“It is on this basis that Nigeria continues to push for reform of the United Nations Security Council to provide permanent equitable representation for Africa, promote inclusivity and strengthen global peace and security,” Defence Minister Mohammed Badaru said during his address at the 79th United Nations General Assembly in New York, US, on Sunday.

Badaru spoke at the interactive dialogue Summit of the Future 2, themed ‘Strengthening multilateralism for international peace and security.’

The Security Council is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations.

The 15 permanent members are responsible for ensuring international peace and security, recommending the admission of new UN members to the General Assembly, and approving changes to the UN Charter.

The UN Security Council also conducts peacekeeping operations, sets international sanctions and authorizes military action.

Speaking at the summit, Nigeria’s Defence Minister 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 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 made significant contributions in terms of finance, logistics, troops and civilian experts, making it one of the largest contributors of troops and police from Africa to United Nations missions.”

He argued that this would make Nigeria and Africa eligible for equitable representation ‘on a permanent basis, to promote inclusiveness and to strengthen global peace and security.’

Badaru stressed the importance of building professional African armies to combat terrorism on the continent 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 recognise the need for Africa to build strong and professional armies to, among other things, defeat terrorism.

“Nigeria calls for the operationalization of the African Standby Force and the provision of requisite support and resources to ensure the establishment and effectiveness of a centre of excellence in Africa in the field of counter-terrorism.

“We reiterate our call to strengthen regional and sub-regional cooperation, enhance the capacities of member states, promote cooperation and understanding, reduce tensions and seek peaceful resolutions of disputes to resolve conflicts, particularly in the Middle East and Ukraine,” Badaru said.

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

He also 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 added, highlighting the alarming trend of kidnapping for ransom and piracy.
Badaru urged 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 weapons by non-state actors exacerbates insecurity and instability, saying:
“Now is the time for action.”

“We must step up our efforts to tackle transnational organised crime and related illicit financial flows through comprehensive strategies including prevention, early detection, protection and law enforcement, especially in light 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 UN efforts to combat terrorism and promote world peace.