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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has urged the African Union Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) to give priority to the formation of a combined maritime task force aimed at bolstering security in the Gulf of Guinea.
Tinubu declared Nigeria's willingness to host the task force's headquarters in Lagos following its formation.
He made this plea during the 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of African Union (AU) Heads of State and Government held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Sunday.
Represented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, Tinubu underscored Nigeria’s stance as the AU reviewed the AUPSC’s report, which concentrates on peace and security across Africa, as well as the biennial report concerning the implementation of the Master Roadmap of Practical Steps to Silence the Guns in Africa (2023-2024).
“The time is ripe for the African Union Peace and Security Council to prioritize establishing a Combined Maritime Task Force for the Gulf of Guinea. I would like to announce that Nigeria is keen to host the task force’s headquarters in Lagos,” he stated.
Nigeria's suggestion for a maritime task force coincides with the signing of an agreement with the AU to offer Strategic Sea Lift Services for AU peace support missions, natural disaster assistance, humanitarian efforts, and personnel transportation.
The agreement was signed by Nigeria's Defence Minister, Badaru Abubakar, and stipulates that the Nigerian Navy will supply a vessel for these operations on a cost-recovery basis.
The signing of the agreement was observed by Nigeria’s Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, Naval Chief, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, and Director-General of the Nigerian Intelligence Agency, Ambassador Muhammed Muhammed. Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, the AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, represented the AU in signing the agreement.
Tinubu conveyed his approval that the AUPSC had embraced the conclusions from a high-level meeting, specifically the decision to elevate the Nigerian National Counter-Terrorism Centre to a Regional Counter-Terrorism Centre. He also acknowledged the Council's choice to extend the mandate of the Multinational Joint Taskforce, which is tackling the dual issues of terrorism and violent extremism in the Lake Chad region.
Addressing the situation in Libya, the Nigerian president expressed his worry about the deteriorating instability in the North African nation, which has exacerbated security issues in the Sahel. He urged the Assembly to support initiatives aimed at restoring order. "The Sahel cannot attain peace while Libya remains unsettled," he cautioned.
Tinubu pointed out the significant insecurity affecting nations undergoing democratic transitions, which include Sudan, Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan, and Gabon. "It would be reasonable to consider extending the benefits outlined in UN Security Council Resolution 2719 to bolster AU Peace Support Operations," he suggested.
He further stressed that the AU needs to work on mitigating the rising influence of non-African forces, including private military companies, in African security issues.
Meanwhile, he welcomed advances in the operationalization of the African Standby Force and reaffirmed Nigeria’s backing.
He called on all AU member states and delegations to exhibit the needed flexibility to approve the draft Memorandum of Understanding regarding the operationalization of the standby force.
