In his address at the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Nigeria's Defence Minister Mohammed Badaru emphasized the country's long-standing commitment to international peace and security, advocating for Nigeria to secure a permanent seat on the UN Security Council. This call echoes Africa's ongoing demand for equitable representation in what is considered the UN's most powerful body.
The UNGA elects five new non-permanent members each year from various geographical regions for two-year terms, with Africa holding three rotational seats on the 15-member council. U.S. Ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, highlighted that the current elected seats do not allow African nations to fully leverage their voices or expertise on pressing global issues, which often disproportionately affect the continent.
Badaru pointed to Nigeria's historical contributions to global peacekeeping, noting that since its first deployment in Congo in 1960, Nigeria has participated in 41 peacekeeping missions and deployed over 200,000 troops to UN operations. "Nigeria has unequivocally committed itself to peacebuilding since 1960," underscoring the nation’s involvement in missions across countries like Côte d'Ivoire, Liberia, and Mali.
He urged reform of the UN Security Council to provide Africa with permanent representation, which he argued is essential for enhancing global stability and inclusivity. "Our efforts in peacekeeping have made Nigeria one of the largest contributors of troops and police to UN missions," Badaru added.
The minister also stressed the importance of establishing strong professional armies in Africa to combat terrorism and called for the operationalization of the African Standby Force. He underscored the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to address transnational crime and illegal arms trafficking, particularly in the Sahel region.
Badaru warned that unrestricted access to illicit arms by non-state actors exacerbates insecurity and instability. "Now is the time for action," he stated, highlighting the complexities of organized crime that threaten regional stability. He urged the international community to renew efforts to control the proliferation of small arms and light weapons, particularly in conflict zones within the Sahel, where such arms continue to fuel violence.
In closing, Badaru reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to international peace and security, calling for decisive action from the global community to resolve conflicts, particularly in the Middle East and Ukraine.