NIGERIA, AFRICAN UNION STRENGTHEN PARTNERSHIP ON PEACE AND SECURITY

NIGERIA, AFRICAN UNION STRENGTHEN PARTNERSHIP ON PEACE AND SECURITY

Odumegwu-Ojukwu, AU Commissioner Seek Deeper Cooperation on Conflict Prevention

ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA — Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting peace, security and democratic governance across Africa through enhanced collaboration with the African Union (AU).

The commitment was reiterated during a meeting between Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, and the African Union Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, on the sidelines of the AU Executive Council meeting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

During the meeting, the Minister commended the AU Commissioner for his role in facilitating the 21 million-dollar European Union support package for the Multinational Joint Task Force, describing the intervention as a significant boost to regional security efforts.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu reaffirmed Nigeria’s readiness to continue working closely with the African Union in addressing emerging security threats and advancing democratic governance across the continent.

In his remarks, Ambassador Adeoye praised Nigeria for its 22 years of active contributions to the AU Peace and Security Council, describing the country’s role in conflict prevention, peacebuilding and regional diplomacy as exemplary.

He encouraged Nigeria to sustain its leadership position in fostering stability and promoting peaceful resolutions to conflicts across Africa.

The discussions also examined the prevailing security challenges in the Sahel region, Guinea, Burkina Faso and Sudan, as well as preparations for the forthcoming Extraordinary Session of the African Union Assembly scheduled to hold in Angola.

Ambassador Adeoye further highlighted ongoing AU initiatives aimed at strengthening the continent’s peace and governance architecture through the AU Peace Fund and the newly established African Institute for Democratic Governance.

Both parties agreed to deepen cooperation in critical areas, including mediation, capacity building and the application of artificial intelligence in conflict prevention and resolution, in line with the objectives of the African Union’s Agenda 2063.

The meeting underscored the shared determination of Nigeria and the African Union to advance sustainable peace, security and development across the continent through strategic partnerships and innovative approaches.