President Bola Tinubu has urged the African Union Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) to prioritize the establishment of a Combined Maritime Task Force to strengthen security in the Gulf of Guinea.
Speaking at the 38th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Sunday, President Tinubu reaffirmed Nigeria’s readiness to host the task force’s headquarters in Lagos. His statement, delivered by Foreign Affairs Minister, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, emphasized Nigeria’s commitment to addressing maritime security threats in the region.
“The time has come for the African Union Peace and Security Council to prioritize the creation of a Combined Maritime Task Force for the Gulf of Guinea. I wish to announce that Nigeria would like to host the headquarters of the task force in Lagos,” Tinubu stated.
Nigeria signs agreement on strategic sea lift services
On the sidelines of the summit, Nigeria signed an agreement with the AU to provide Strategic Sea Lift Services for peace support operations, disaster response, humanitarian actions, and personnel movement.
The agreement, signed by Defence Minister Mohammed Badaru Abubakar on behalf of Nigeria, mandates the Nigerian Navy to provide a vessel for AU operations on a cost-recovery basis.
Key officials present at the signing included: The Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi; Foreign Affairs Minister, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar; Naval Chief, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla; Director-General of the Nigerian Intelligence Agency, Ambassador Muhammed Muhammed; and AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, who signed on behalf of the AU
Strengthening counter-terrorism and regional security
President Tinubu welcomed the AUPSC’s decision to upgrade Nigeria’s National Counter-Terrorism Centre to a Regional Counter-Terrorism Centre. He also commended the renewal of the Multinational Joint Taskforce (MNJTF) mandate, reinforcing efforts against terrorism and violent extremism in the Lake Chad Region.
On the security situation in Libya, Tinubu warned that its instability continues to fuel insecurity across the Sahel, urging AU member states to support initiatives aimed at restoring law and order.
“The Sahel cannot enjoy peace as long as Libya does not,” he cautioned.
He also highlighted insecurity in countries undergoing democratic transitions, including Sudan, Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan, and Gabon, and advocated leveraging UN Security Council Resolution 2719 to support AU peace operations.
Advancing the African standby force
President Tinubu reaffirmed Nigeria’s support for the operationalization of the African Standby Force (ASF), urging AU member states to demonstrate flexibility in adopting the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) needed to activate its deployment.
He cautioned against the growing presence of extra-continental forces and private military companies in Africa’s security landscape, stressing the AU’s role in maintaining regional security sovereignty.
