Emmanuel Daudu
As Nigeria continues to push for global solutions to regional problems that threaten not just Africa, but the wider world,Minister of Defence, H.E. Mohammed Abubakar Badaru, reaffirmed Nigeria’s steadfast commitment to supporting the UN’s efforts in international peace and security.
Badaru made this assertion at the 79th United Nations General Assembly in New York, during the high-level Summit of the Future.
The Minister highlighted Nigeria’s pivotal role in global peace operations and regional stability, with a special call for renewed international efforts to combat the proliferation of small arms and light weapons in the Sahel region.
Badaru, addressing world leaders, emphasized that Nigeria has been at the forefront of peacekeeping initiatives since its inaugural deployment in Congo in 1960.
“Nigeria has made significant contributions in terms of troops, finance, logistics, and civilian expertise to various African nations, including Guinea Bissau, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Mali, and Côte d’Ivoire,” he stated, underscoring the country’s longstanding role in promoting security across West Africa and the Sahel region.
As the global community grapples with rising security challenges, particularly in conflict-ridden regions, the Defence Minister urged the United Nations to recognize Africa’s indispensable role in peacebuilding by granting the continent permanent representation on the UN Security Council.
“Africa’s just representation at the Security Council is crucial for conscientious global peace, inclusivity, and building trust,” he said, stressing the need for more equitable decision-making at the highest levels of international diplomacy.
Focusing on emerging threats, Badaru called for comprehensive strategies to tackle insecurity, including the need to curb illegal financial flows that fund criminal activities such as kidnapping and banditry, and to stem the tide of illicit arms and weapons in conflict-prone areas.
“We urge the international community to renew efforts to address these security challenges, especially the flow of small arms and light weapons within the Sahel region,” he implored.
The Honourable Minister’s remarks come at a time when the Sahel is experiencing heightened instability, fueled by the proliferation of arms and the rise of extremist groups.
Nigeria, which has borne the brunt of regional conflicts spilling across its borders, continues to lead calls for global cooperation in addressing these pressing security concerns.
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