Nigeria has rejected a proposal to split the AU’s Department of Political Affairs, emphasizing that such a move would destabilize existing political and peace processes. President Bola Tinubu highlighted the need for reforms to maintain transparency and focus on existing agreements while supporting overall AU reforms under specific leadership.
The Nigerian government has firmly opposed a proposal to separate a new department from the existing African Union (AU) Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security. Officials argued that such a move would negatively impact the AU’s political and peace processes, stressing that only issues previously raised with Member States should be included in reforms.
President Bola Tinubu delivered this stance while attending the 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. He expressed concerns that creating an additional department would lead to unnecessary expenditures. The Nigerian government supports enhancing the AU’s relevance under the leadership of President Ruto, particularly advocating for a focused agenda at the AU Summit.
Despite endorsement of the overall AU reform process, President Tinubu rejected the division of the Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security, which is currently led by Nigerian diplomat Bankole Adeoye. He emphasized the importance of maintaining the integrity of existing structures and preventing destabilization of AU processes.
During his address, Tinubu acknowledged the contributions of leaders from Rwanda and Kenya regarding reform proposals. He reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to supporting reforms, as long as these initiatives are systematic, transparent, and do not compromise current frameworks. Tinubu also highlighted the need for implementing already adopted programs rather than aiming for consensus on entirely new fronts.
Nigeria remains staunchly against splitting the AU’s Department of Political Affairs, citing potential disruptions to existing frameworks and unnecessary fiscal burdens. The country advocates for a focused reform process that addresses current concerns while enhancing the overall effectiveness and relevance of the AU. Emphasizing transparency and inclusiveness is critical for successful reform implementation.
Original Source: punchng.com
