Nigeria Re-Elected Into AU Peace, Security Council

Nigeria has been re-elected into the African Union Peace and Security Council (AU-PSC) for a new three-year term, 2019-2021.

Alongside Nigeria, four other countries – Burundi, Algeria, Kenya and Lesotho were also elected, reflecting the five regions of the continent.

Seven countries keenly contested for the available five vacancies.

A statement by the spokesperson, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, George Edokpa, said Nigeria was re-elected on Friday during the on-going 34th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

“Nigeria has sustained the membership of the AU-PSC since its inception in 2004 following the decision of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, to dedicate a seat of 3 year term to Nigeria at every PSC election in recognition of Nigeria’s contribution to the maintenance of peace and security in Africa and beyond,” the statement quoted Nigerian Ambassador to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the African Union, Bankole Adeoye, as saying.

The Peace and Security Council of the AU is a standing decision-making organ of the African Union charged with responsibilities of: conducting early warning and preventive diplomacy; facilitate peace-making; establish peace-support operations; and, in certain circumstances, recommend intervention in Member States to promote peace, security and stability.

The statement said, “The PSC role through Nigeria’s guidance in the Lake Chad Basin region has been remarkable, particularly in the endorsement of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF).

“Nigeria has also supported the AU PSC engagements the security situation in ECOWAS region, Sahel and beyond.”

It added that, “Nigeria’s objective in the African Union Peace and Security Council will be guided by its renewed commitment towards proving the needed support in the on-going implementation of the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA) and the African Governance Architecture (AGA) in-line with the AU Agenda 2063 and the SDGs 2030 goals.

“More so, as Africa continues to respond to old and emerging conflicts in the continent, Nigeria would continue to collaborate with other member states to improve on the gains made in proffering African solutions to African problems, as regards the overall objective African ownership and leadership to durable peace in the continent.”