Nigeria’s President and ECOWAS chair, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has decried extremism and the series of coups in Africa, seeking the cooperation of the United Nations.
Tinubu made the call while delivering his first address on Wednesday at the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly, high-level General Debate which kicked off on Tuesday, September 19.
Tinubu emphasised the need for members of the United Nations to prioritise Africa’s development as the continent looks to attain prosperity even as it tackles challenges from climate change and coups in its regions.
He said, “We must affirm democratic governance as the best guarantor of the sovereign will and well-being of the people. Military coups are wrong, as is any tilted civilian political arrangement that perpetuates injustice.
“The wave crossing parts of Africa does not demonstrate favour towards coups. It is a demand for solutions to perennial problems.”
The ECOWAS chair explained that “Regarding Niger, we are negotiating with the military leaders. As Chairman of ECOWAS, I seek to help re-establish democratic governance in a manner that addresses the political and economic challenges confronting that nation, including the violent extremists who seek to foment instability in our region. I extend a hand of friendship to all who genuinely support this mission.”
Speaking to the UN assembly, Tinubu listed Africa’s problems aside the coup, explaining that the entire region is locked in a protracted battle against violent extremists, and that a dark channel of inhumane commerce has formed in the turmoil with everything up for sale including men, women, and children.
He told the UN assembly that, nevertheless, thousands risk the Sahara’s hot sand and the Mediterranean’s cold depths in search of a better life, while “mercenaries and extremists with their lethal weapons and vile ideologies invade our region from the north.”
Tinubu said, despite the coups, African nations will improve their economies so that citizens do not risk their lives to sweep the floors and streets of other nations.
He urged the international community to strengthen its commitment to arrest the flow of arms and violent people into West Africa, as leaders devote their efforts to disbanding extremist groups in the region.
According to the speakers list provided by the Office of the General Assembly President, the Nigerian President was scheduled as the fifth African leader to speak on the first day of the gathering.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, the 10th speaker, was to be the first African leader to address the UN Assembly in the morning session.
The theme of the General Assembly, including the general debate, is “Rebuilding trust and reigniting global solidarity. Accelerating implementation of the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals in order to achieve peace, prosperity, progress, and sustainability for all.
