President Bola Ahmed Tinubu urged the African Union to establish a Combined Maritime Task Force to improve security in the Gulf of Guinea and offered to host its headquarters in Lagos. Nigeria also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the AU for strategic sealift operations. Additionally, President Tinubu supported a new African-led credit rating agency to provide fair evaluations for African economies, emphasizing the need for collaborative financial frameworks.
At the recent African Union (AU) summit in Addis Ababa, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria urged the African Union Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) to prioritize forming a Combined Maritime Task Force aimed at bolstering security in the Gulf of Guinea. He declared Nigeria’s willingness to host the task force’s headquarters in Lagos.
President Tinubu made this proposal during discussions regarding a report on peace and security in Africa. Delivered by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, the statement highlighted the pressing need for collaborative maritime security efforts in the region amid rising maritime threats.
The call for a combined maritime task force coincided with Nigeria’s signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the AU. This agreement facilitates Nigeria providing strategic sealift services for AU peace operations and crisis response initiatives, with the Nigerian Navy contributing a vessel for operations on a cost-recovery basis.
The defence minister, Badaru Abubakar, represented Nigeria in signing the MoU alongside various high-profile officials, including the Attorney-General, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the Naval Chief. Ambassador Bankole Adeoye of the AU signed on behalf of the African Union.
Additionally, President Tinubu welcomed the AUPSC’s decision to enhance the Nigerian National Counter-Terrorism Centre’s capabilities and to renew the mandate of the Multinational Joint Taskforce. He expressed concerns about the deteriorating situation in Libya and its ramifications for regional security in the Sahel, urging collective efforts to stabilize the area.
Further, President Tinubu emphasized the imperative of addressing security challenges across the Sahel, which affects nations transitioning towards democracy, such as Sudan and Burkina Faso. He advocated exploring the potential benefits of UN Security Council Resolution 2719 to support AU peace operations.
On economic development, Tinubu voiced strong support for establishing an African-led credit rating agency (ACRA), which he believes will provide more impartial credit evaluations for African nations. He highlighted efforts by the AU and other bodies to create frameworks that ensure fair financial assessments and mitigate biases from existing global rating services.
The President praised the newly proposed African Financing Stability Mechanism (AFSM) as a collaborative approach to tackle the continent’s financial vulnerabilities, particularly in light of rising borrowing costs. He acknowledged the progress made during the 5th Extraordinary Session of the Specialized Technical Committee on Finance in Abuja.
In summary, President Tinubu’s advocacy for a Combined Maritime Task Force underscores Nigeria’s commitment to enhancing regional security in the Gulf of Guinea. The recent agreements between Nigeria and the AU signal a collaborative approach to addressing both security and economic challenges in Africa, highlighting Nigeria’s leadership role. Establishing an African-led credit rating agency further reflects initiatives aimed at improving fair financial assessments and promoting economic stability across the continent.
Original Source: newsdiaryonline.com
