President Bola Tinubu believes the African Union Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) should prioritise the formation of a unified maritime task force to improve security in the Gulf of Guinea.
Tinubu addressed the 38th ordinary session of the African Union’s leaders of state and government in Addis Abeba, Ethiopia, on Sunday.
Tinubu, represented by Yusuf Tuggar, Minister of Foreign Affairs, recommended Lagos, Nigeria’s economic hub, as the headquarters for the security force.
“The time has come for the African Union Peace and Security Council to prioritise the creation of a combined maritime task force for the Gulf of Guinea,” a statement issued by Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to Tibubu on information and strategy, quoted the president as saying.
“I wish to announce that Nigeria would like to host the headquarters of the task force in Lagos.”
Tinubu’s proposal for a marine task force comes on the same day that Nigeria inked an agreement with the AU.
According to the statement, Nigeria has promised to offer strategic sealift services for AU peacekeeping operations, natural disaster relief, humanitarian efforts, and people transfer.
According to the agreement, the Nigerian Navy would send a vessel for the activities at a cost-recovery basis.
Badaru Abubakar, Nigeria’s minister of defence, signed the agreement on the country’s behalf, while Bankole Adeoye, AU commissioner for political affairs, peace, and security, signed on behalf of the union.
The statement acknowledged that the AUPSC had previously had a high-level meeting.
Tinubu expressed delight with the decision to upgrade the Nigerian National Counter-Terrorism Centre to a regional counter-terrorism centre, which was one of the meeting’s conclusions.
The president also mentioned the insecurity that Sahelian countries are experiencing while they transition to democracy.
He blamed the growing situation on Libya’s instability and urged the assembly to support attempts to restore law and order in the nation.
“It would not be out of place to explore the possibility of extending the inherent benefits of UN Security Council resolution 2719 to support AU peace support operations,” the president said.
Tinubu also stated that the AU must work to avoid the increased intrusion of extra-continental forces, especially private military corporations, into African security issues.
