At the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9) in Yokohama, Japan, President Bola Tinubu made a strong appeal for reforms within the United Nations Security Council to grant Africa permanent representation.
Speaking at the plenary session focused on peace and stability, Tinubu insisted that Africa deserves two permanent seats on the council, complete with all the privileges, including the veto power.
He further emphasized the need for additional non-permanent seats for the continent, aligning with the Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration.
“Nigeria firmly believes that Africa’s call for equitable and just representation at the UN Security Council is both reasonable and long overdue,” Tinubu stated.
“Africa should have two permanent seats with full privileges and additional non-permanent seats to reflect its growing influence.”
The President also took time to commend the Nigerian armed forces for their recent successes in combating insurgency and criminal activities, describing these achievements as pivotal for the country’s development and stability.
However, Tinubu warned that military victories alone are insufficient for lasting peace. Addressing root causes such as poverty, inequality, and exclusion is essential.
He highlighted innovative peace-building efforts, including recent mediation linked with economic investments in the Democratic Republic of Congo, as promising models.
“Nigeria’s courageous armed forces can win battles, but true justice for their sacrifice comes when governments tackle not just terrorism but also its underlying causes,” Tinubu noted.
He called on African nations and international partners to foster market-driven collaborations rather than relying on traditional aid, urging a shift towards sustainable economic partnerships that transcend outdated approaches.
The conference also saw Japanese Prime Minister pledging $5.5 billion in support for African development, underscoring the global commitment to the continent’s progress.
