During the African Union Summit, President Bola Tinubu proposed a combined maritime task force for the Gulf of Guinea, with Nigeria offering to host its headquarters. He emphasized the need for AU initiatives that strengthen security, calling for a focus on counter-terrorism and financial stability across Africa. Tinubu also advocated for an African-led credit rating agency to ensure fair assessments for economies.
President Bola Tinubu has called for the establishment of a combined maritime task force to bolster security in the Gulf of Guinea during the 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of African Union Heads of State in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. He announced Nigeria’s readiness to host the task force’s headquarters in Lagos, emphasizing the need for the African Union Peace and Security Council to prioritize this initiative.
The proposal aligns with an agreement between Nigeria and the African Union for the provision of Strategic Sea Lift Services to support AU peace operations and humanitarian efforts. This agreement, signed by Defence Minister Badaru Abubakar and AU Commissioner Bankole Adeoye, allows the Nigerian Navy to contribute vessels on a cost-recovery basis.
Tinubu expressed approval for the AU’s recent decisions to upgrade Nigeria’s National Counter-Terrorism Centre and renew the mandate of the Multinational Joint Task Force combating terrorism in the Lake Chad region. He voiced concerns regarding the ongoing instability in Libya and its impact on security in the Sahel, urging support for initiatives that restore order in the North African nation.
Highlighting the severe insecurity in several nations experiencing democratic transitions, Tinubu advocated for exploring the extension of UN Security Council Resolution 2719 to fortify AU Peace Support Operations. He warned against the increasing involvement of non-African entities, including private military companies, in African security matters.
The President praised the operationalization of the African Standby Force and called for flexibility among AU member states to adopt the draft MoU necessary for its function. Furthermore, he proposed the establishment of an African-led credit rating agency to ensure fairer, more transparent credit evaluations for African economies, countering biases from existing global agencies.
In his remarks, Tinubu acknowledged the African Union’s initiatives to develop a financial framework for member states, particularly highlighting the significance of the Africa Financing Stability Mechanism (AFSM) in addressing the continent’s financial challenges. He noted that the AFSM aims to enhance financial stability and provide a coordinated method of managing financial risks among member states.
In summary, President Tinubu’s proposals at the African Union Summit focus on enhancing maritime security through a combined task force, improving regional counter-terrorism measures, and fostering financial stability in Africa. His calls for an African-led credit rating agency and the establishment of the AFSM highlight the need for greater independence and resilience in managing financial risks within the continent.
Original Source: punchng.com
