At the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) held in New York on Sunday, September 22, 2024, Nigeria made a compelling case for Africa to have permanent representation on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). Defence Minister Mohammed Badaru highlighted the country’s significant contributions to global peacekeeping efforts, stating that Nigeria has participated in 41 peacekeeping missions and deployed over 200,000 troops under UN operations.
During his address at the Summit of the Future Interactive Dialogue 2, themed ‘Enhancing Multilateralism for International Peace and Security,’ Badaru emphasized that “Nigeria continues to call for the reform of the United Nations Security Council to provide just representation for Africa permanently, promoting inclusivity and enhancing global peace and security.”
The Defence Minister underscored Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to international peace since its first deployment of troops in Congo in 1960. He noted that Nigeria has consistently played a significant role in peacekeeping operations across various regions, including Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea-Bissau, The Gambia, Liberia, Mali, Sudan, and Sierra Leone.
Addressing Africa’s role in maintaining peace and security, Badaru remarked, “We recognize the need for Africa to build strong and professional armies to, among other things, defeat terrorism.” He also called for the operationalization of the African Standby Force and the establishment of a counter-terrorism center of excellence on the continent.
The minister expressed deep concerns over rising transnational crime and illegal arms trafficking in Africa, particularly in the Sahel region. “The time for action is now,” he said, urging the international community to intensify efforts in controlling the proliferation of small arms and light weapons.
In his closing remarks, Badaru reaffirmed Nigeria’s dedication to supporting UN efforts in combating terrorism and promoting global peace.
