Nigeria: UNGA 79 – Nigeria demands seat on UN Security Council

Posted on by Vaseline

New York — The Nigerian government has reiterated its demands for a seat on the United Nations Security Council after contributing to 41 peacekeeping missions and deploying more than 200,000 troops for world peace.

Defence Minister Mohammed Badaru, during his address at the 79th United Nations General Assembly on Sunday evening, emphasised Nigeria’s long-standing commitment to international peace and security.

Speaking at the interactive Summit of the Future 2 dialogue themed “Strengthening Multilateralism for International Peace and Security”, he said that “Since our first deployment in Congo in 1960, Nigeria has contributed to 41 peacekeeping missions worldwide”, highlighting the deployment of over 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.

According to him, 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 more than 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 missions in countries including Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea-Bissau, Gambia, Liberia, Mali, Sudan and Sierra Leone. The country 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 ensure fair representation of Africa on a permanent basis, with a view to 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. He said: “We recognise 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 the necessary 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, expand the capacities of Member States, promote cooperation and understanding, reduce tensions and strive for peaceful resolution of disputes to resolve conflicts, in particular in the Middle East and Ukraine.”

The Minister reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to combating transnational organised crime, stressing the urgent need for comprehensive strategies that include prevention, early detection, protection and law enforcement to address 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 weapons by non-state actors is exacerbating insecurity and instability. “The time for action is now,” he urged, as Nigeria grapples with the complexities of organized crime that threaten regional stability and security.