Would you like to receive notifications on latest updates of the following headlines?

Samoa Agreement: Our Fears, Positions and Advice, By Catholic Bishops

POSTED ON July 12, 2024 •   Feature      BY Benedicta Bassey
A catholic priest

The Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has described the recent Samoa agreement as “a threat to the sovereignty of Nigeria.”

The CBCN's position is contained in a 25-point communique issued after their meeting and signed by the President and Secretary, Most Rev. Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji and Most Rev. Donatus A. Ogun, respectively.

The Samoa Agreement has become a subject of controversy in Nigeria amid claims that the agreement signed by the Federal Government contained clauses that mandate Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBTQ) rights.

Recall that the European Union and member states came together to sign the partnership agreement which was referred to as the Samoa Agreement on November 15, 2023.

The member states that signed the agreement, which seeks to address global challenges, are called the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States, also known as OACPS.

The CBCN's communique read: “The agreement looks innocuous and attractive on the surface but underneath it is carefully blended with post-modern secularistic ideologies that significantly undermine the moral, cultural, and religious beliefs of Nigerian citizens.

“We are concerned that our civil authorities may not be fully aware of the implications of the nuanced language in the document, which threatens our national sovereignty and values.

“We, the Catholic Bishops of Nigeria, as watchmen and guides, deeply committed to the sound moral, religious, and cultural growth of our dear country, hereby clearly highlight what the Samoa Document portends for the future of Nigeria and Nigerians and call on our government to, as a matter of urgency, propose an amendment of the agreement or withdraw from it.

“In international law, when the state signs a Treaty, it indicates its intention to be bound by it in the future, and it demonstrates its support for the principles and goals of the Treaty and its willingness to consider ratifying it in the future.

“Given the secrecy surrounding Nigeria’s signing of the Samoa agreement, it is unclear whether the signature was tendered subject to Ratification, Acceptance, or Approval.

“The Samoa agreement essentially gives international law status to sexual orientation and gender identity, comprehensive sexuality education, and abortion through its prolific reference to gender approaches and the phrase Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights.

“The Treaty does not have a glossary of terms or a definitions section to ensure that all parties have the same understanding of terms, which may pose a problem in its implementation and evaluation phases.

“Ordinarily, signing a Treaty creates an obligation to refrain, in good faith, from acts that would undermine its object and purpose (Arts 10 &18, Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties 1969). Signing a Treaty serves as an intention to be bound by it when it is enforced.

“Under article 98.3 of the Samoa Agreement, Nigeria, by signing it, binds itself to recognize the validity of any measure taken to implement the agreement after the date of its entry into force.

“Its signing makes Nigeria surrender its position as a persistent objector to the impugned language during negotiations in several international fora. Most of Africa have always counted on the leadership of Nigeria to contest anti-life, anti-family, anti-culture and anti-African values at the United Nations.

“The decision not to sign the Samoa Agreement in November 2023 was consistent with Nigeria’s persistent objection to those issues. Its signing has weakened the persistency and consistency of the objection that Nigeria has always had.

“The Samoa Agreement has 61 references to gender equality, gender perspectives and gender mainstreaming. The most outstanding is Article 2.5: The parties shall systematically promote a gender perspective and ensure that gender equality is mainstreamed across all policies.

“The term gender is no longer an innocent term. There are over 110 genders that would claim a stake in the term gender equality.”

It added that, “Several provisions in the Samoa Agreement commit Nigeria to take joint positions with the European Union in international affairs.

“The challenge is that Nigeria has led several African nations in protecting African values, culture, interests and sovereignty. Provisions that mandate joint positions will make it difficult for Nigerian diplomats and negotiators to distinguish themselves in thought and representation.”

The CBCN therefore called on the government to propose an insertion to moderate the agreement.

The Catholic Bishops recommended, “Given that Nigeria has signed the Samoa Document, we call on the government to propose an insertion of a substantive article in the general agreement and the African Regional Protocols that nothing in this binding agreement can be interpreted to include any obligations regarding sexual orientation, gender identity, comprehensive sexuality education, abortion, contraception, legalisation of prostitution, same-sex marriage, or sexual rights for children.

“If Nigeria takes the lead in calling for amendments to the Samoa Agreement and its protocols, other states in the African Caribbean and Pacific regions may more likely follow suit. If accepted, this amendment will go a long way in preventing SRHR from becoming international through an economic partnership agreement.

“Nigeria should withdraw from the Samoa agreement if the EU rejects the proposed amendment. A precedent has already been set by South Africa, which withdrew from the Cotonou Agreement in 2023.”

READ ALSO
Can Memes Drive Voter Engagement? New Research Explores the Dual Impact
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 18, 2025 0

In Nigeria’s fast-scrolling digital world, memes are no longer just for laughs, they are part...

READ ALSO
Analysis of Air India 787 Crash and New Evidence
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 17, 2025 0

Summary The recording discusses the analysis of a recent Air India 787 crash in India, focusing on...

READ ALSO
Air India Flight 171: Investigators Uncover Dual Engine Failure as Global Scrutiny Mounts
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 15, 2025 0

AHMEDABAD, India— As the world continues to mourn the tragic loss of 290 lives aboard Air Indi...

READ ALSO
Will Pope Leo XIV Lose His American Citizenship? A Legal and Diplomatic Puzzle Unfolds
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 14, 2025 0

VATICAN CITY – When Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was elected Pope Leo XIV on May 8, he beca...

READ ALSO
MAY DAY: Agony of Nigerian Worker, Struggling under Weight of Rising Costs
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 1, 2025 0

LAGOS, NIGERIA — As Nigeria’s inflation rate continues its relentless climb, the nation&...

READ ALSO
Easter Celebration: A celebration of faith, resurrection, and global unity
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 19, 2025 0

As spring breathes new life, millions of Christians across the globe gathered to celebrate Easter, o...

READ ALSO
Oye Owolewa: Bridging Communities and Championing Equality
BY ROCKETPARROT.com staff November 10, 2024 0

Born in Boston to Nigerian immigrant parents, Oye Owolewa’s journey is a compelling narra...

READ ALSO
Behind the scenes: The art of production design in film, TV
BY Ebiakuboere England October 24, 2024 0

Production design is a crucial yet often underappreciated aspect of filmmaking and television produc...

OUR CHANNELS:

Reclaiming Gaddafi’s Pan-African Dream: Why His Vision Still Matters
BY Suleiman Jimoh July 2, 2025 0

Few remember that Muammar Gaddafi once dared to imagine an Africa unchained from foreign dictate. He...


Calls for Autopsy: Ondo Govt. Faces Pressure to Exhume Late Governor Akeredolu's Body
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 1, 2025 0

The Ondo State Government may need to exhume the body of the late governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, f...


Dangote Slash Petrol Price to N840 per Litre Amid Market Adjustments
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 2, 2025 0

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has lowered the ex-depot price of Premium Motor Spirit, commonly refe...


NEC Reinstates Anyanwu as PDP National Secretary Amid Internal Conflicts
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 1, 2025 0

The 100th meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the People’s Democratic Party (...


APC Schedules NEC Meeting for July 24 Amid Leadership Changes
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 1, 2025 0

ABUJA, Nigeria - The All Progressives Congress (APC) has scheduled its National Executive Committee...


PDP: Tensions Rise Ahead of 100th NEC Meeting Amid Factional Disputes
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 1, 2025 0

As tensions escalate within the People’s Democratic Party regarding the National Secretary pos...


Sokoto,Kebbi PDP Ready to Join Coalition Against APC in 2027
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 1, 2025 0

The state branches of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Sokoto and Kebbi have expressed t...


UNIUYO Medical Lecturers Begin Indefinite Strike over VC appointment
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 30, 2025 0

Medical lecturers at the University of Uyo, affiliated with the Medical and Dental Consultants Assoc...


Nigeria and Saint Lucia Unite for Mutual Growth
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 1, 2025 0

President Bola Tinubu and Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre agreed on Sunday to establish formal diplo...


Tinubu Empowers ICRC to Streamline PPP Processes
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 2, 2025 0

President Bola Tinubu has authorized the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) to e...


More Articles

Load more...

Menu