UNGA78: Tinubu Urges Foreign Entities To Stop Looting Africa
*Rules out coup as option against dictatorship.
Nigeria's President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, early Wednesday morning, called on international groups to put a halt to the looting of Africa's resources.
He made the call while addressing world leaders at the ongoing 78th session of the United General Assembly, UNGA78.
President Tinubu who was in there in his maiden appearance as Nigeria's President, called on the international community to strengthen its commitment to halting the flow of arms and violent people into West Africa.
He warned that the unhinged looting of Africa’s mineral resources not only threatens peace, it also places national security in jeopardy.
“If left unchecked, they will threaten peace and place national security at grave risk.
President Tinubu added that many of Africa’s mineral rich areas have become catacombs of misery and exploitation because of the unhinged exploitation of the continent's resources, emphasizing that the Democratic Republic of Congo has, for decades, suffered from this despite the fact that the UN maintains a strong presence in the country.
“The world economy owes the DRC much but gives her very little. The mayhem visited on resource rich areas does not respect national boundaries. Sudan, Mali, Burkina Faso, CAR, the list grows," he said.
Tinubu told other world leaders that Nigeria is also suffering from the same challenge as foreign entities, aided by locals, have drafted thousands of people into being conduit pipes for the illegal mining the country's gold and other natural resources.
He therefore called on world leaders to work with Africa to halt what he termed "this 21st century pillage of the continent’s riches.”
“The problems also knock Nigeria’s door.
“Foreign entities abetted by local criminals who aspire to be petty warlords have drafted thousands of people into servitude to illegally mine gold and other resources.
"Billions of dollars meant to improve the nation now fuel violent enterprises,” he stated.
President Tinubu also used the platform to condemn the spate of military coups running through Africa.
Describing the trend as wrong and unreflective of the collective aspirations of Africans, he posited that the though the pervasiveness of coups in the continent, particular in the West Africa subregion, may appear to be “a demand for solutions to perennial problems,” it however, does not imply Africa’s support for unconstitutional change of government.
According to the Nigerian leader who was addressing the global body for the first time since he assumed office;
“the wave of coup criss-crossing parts of Africa does not demonstrate favour towards coups. It is a demand for solutions to perennial problems.”
“We must affirm democratic governance as the best guarantor of the sovereign will and well-being of the people. Military coups are wrong, as is any tilted civilian political arrangement that perpetuates injustice.”
Tinubu called for support from sister countries towards ending the trend, affirming that the Economic Community of West African States is still negotiating with the junta.
“As Chairman of ECOWAS, I seek to help re-establish democratic governance in a manner that addresses the political and economic challenges confronting that nation, including the violent extremists who seek to foment instability in our region. I extend a hand of friendship to all who genuinely support this mission.”
What's Your Reaction?
