By Jemimah Wellington, JKNewsMedia Reporter
MOVES TO reform the African Union (AU) has been firmly backed by Nigeria, emphasising the need for a more vibrant, viable, and relevant continental body to meet the changing global political and economic landscape.
The Nigerian government, through President Bola Tinubu’s statement delivered by Foreign Affairs Minister, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, expressed support for several of the reform proposals put forward by Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame and Kenya’s President William Ruto.
One key aspect of Nigeria’s backing includes endorsing the establishment of a Heads of State and Government oversight Committee for the AU reforms under President Ruto’s leadership.
Furthermore, Nigeria agreed with the recommendation to limit the agenda of the AU Summit to no more than three strategic items, aiming to focus efforts on key priorities.
However, President Tinubu, through Ambassador Tuggar, rejected the proposal to establish a new department from the existing Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security (PAPS).
He argued that creating a new department would lead to unnecessary expenditure and could destabilise the AU’s peace and security operations.
The department, led by Nigerian diplomat Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, was recently re-elected for another term.
Tinubu stressed that rather than pursuing widespread consensus on every facet of the reform, the AU should focus on areas where agreement has already been reached.
He urged that reforms be implemented in phases to avoid unnecessary delays and consultations, noting that Nigeria would continue to support reforms as long as they remain transparent and inclusive, without destabilising the existing framework.
