Nigeria Calls on Japan and Global Partners to Address Africa’s Security Challenges

Bid to tackle the growing security threats in Africa, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, has urged Japan and other international partners to strengthen their cooperation in addressing the continent’s security challenges. Speaking at the Ministerial Meeting of the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) held in Tokyo, Japan, from August 24th to 25th, 2024, Tuggar highlighted the escalating issues of terrorism, transnational organized crime, and other security concerns that are impeding Africa’s development.

Ambassador Tuggar expressed deep concern over the complex nature of these threats, which are destabilizing Africa’s peace and security architecture, undermining democratic governance, and discouraging foreign investment. He emphasized Africa’s commitment to leveraging TICAD’s multidimensional strategies to address the root causes of these security challenges.

The Minister also pointed out the alarming proliferation of small arms and light weapons, the presence of foreign mercenaries, and the adverse impact of climate change. He noted that Africa loses an estimated US$88.6 billion annually to illicit financial flows, amounting to about 3% of the continent’s GDP. Additionally, he highlighted the growing threat of cryptocurrency pirates, who are undermining macroeconomic reforms by attacking local currencies.

Ambassador Tuggar attributed these external factors to the rise in Unconstitutional Changes of Government (UCGs) across Africa. He suggested that these security challenges could be a significant factor behind the perceived decline in Japanese investment on the continent. Despite this, he encouraged Japan to remain engaged, urging collaboration with African leaders and development partners to address these pressing issues.

The Minister called for a comprehensive approach, emphasizing the need for Japan and other global partners to support security initiatives in critical regions such as Lake Chad, the Great Lakes, and the Sahel, as well as in conflict-affected areas like Sudan and Somalia. He also proposed that the upcoming TICAD 9 Summit should prioritize strategic infrastructure development, foreign direct investment, capacity building, and technology transfer to foster indigenous entrepreneurship and innovation. Furthermore, he advocated for the empowerment of women and youth in Africa as a crucial component of the continent’s development strategy.

In his closing remarks, Ambassador Tuggar urged Japan to support Africa’s push for United Nations Security Council reform, advocating for fair and equitable representation for the continent. He reiterated Africa’s demand for two seats in both the permanent and non-permanent categories, as outlined in the Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration, stressing that this is not only ethically just but also a necessary step towards rectifying historical injustices.