September 20, (THEWILL) – President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said that the pillage of Africa’s resources by the overreach of firms and people of stronger nations must end.
Speaking at the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday, September 19, 2023, Tinubu urged member nations to work with Africa to deter their firms and nationals from what he called the 21st-century pillage of the continent’s riches.
His words: “The fourth important aspect of global trust and solidarity is to secure the continent’s mineral-rich areas from pilfering and conflict.
“Many such areas have become catacombs of misery and exploitation. The Democratic Republic of the Congo has suffered this for decades, despite the strong UN presence there. 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.
“The problems also knock on 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. If left unchecked, they will threaten peace and place national security at grave risk.
“Given the extent of this injustice and the high stakes involved, many Africans are asking whether this phenomenon is by accident or by design.”
Tinubu also urged member nations to affirm democratic governance as the best guarantor of the sovereign will and well-being of the people.
He said Military coups are wrong, as is any tilted civilian political arrangement that perpetuates injustice.
He said the wave crossing parts of Africa does not demonstrate favour towards coups, saying it is a demand for solutions to perennial problems.
“Regarding Niger, we are negotiating with the military leaders. 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,” he said.
He urged the international community to strengthen its commitment to arrest the flow of arms and violent people into West Africa.
He said, “Our entire region is locked in a protracted battle against violent extremists. In the turmoil, a dark channel of inhumane commerce has formed. Along the route, everything is for sale. Men, women and children are seen as chattel.
“Yet, thousands risk the Sahara’s hot sand and the Mediterranean’s cold depths in search of a better life. At the same time, mercenaries and extremists with their lethal weapons and vile ideologies invade our region from the north.
“This harmful traffic undermines the peace and stability of an entire region. African nations will improve our economies so that our people do not risk their lives to sweep the floors and streets of other nations. We also shall devote ourselves to disbanding extremist groups on our turf.”
Tinubu also urged global institutions, other nations and their private sector to see African development as a priority, not just for Africa but in their interests as well.
He said Nigeria welcomes partnerships with those who do not mind seeing Nigeria and Africa assume larger roles in the global community.
“The question is not whether Nigeria is open for business. The question is how much of the world is truly open to doing business with Nigeria and Africa in an equal, mutually beneficial manner.
“Direct investment in critical industries, opening their ports to a wider range and larger quantity of African exports and meaningful debt relief are important aspects of the cooperation we seek,” he stated.
He further said, “Due to both longstanding internal and external factors, Nigeria’s and Africa’s economic structures have been skewed to impede development, industrial expansion, job creation, and the equitable distribution of wealth.
“To foster economic growth and investor confidence in Nigeria, I removed the costly and corrupt fuel subsidy while also discarding a noxious exchange rate system in my first days in office. Other growth and job-oriented reforms are in the wings.
“I am mindful of the transient hardship that reform can cause. However, it is necessary to go through this phase in order to establish a foundation for durable growth and investment to build the economy our people deserve.”
Tinubu emphasised that Nigeria’s objectives accord with the guiding principles of the world body: peace, security, human rights and development.
About the Author
AYO ESAN, has been actively reporting and analyzing political events for different newspapers for over 18 years. He has also successfully covered national and state elections in Nigeria since the inception of this democracy in 1999.
