President Bola Tinubu, in his inaugural address at the United Nations General Assembly, strongly criticized the surge in military coups across Africa, denouncing them as unjust and not in alignment with the shared desires of the African people. He portrayed the prevalence of coups as an expression of the urgent need for solutions to long-standing issues, emphasizing that it does not imply Africa’s endorsement of unconstitutional government changes.
In 2023, military interventions resulted in the ousting of democratically elected leaders in Niger and Gabon, bringing Africa’s total successful military coups to 107 since 1950, a substantial portion of the worldwide tally of 24. President Tinubu argued that the current developments in various parts of Africa do not signify support for coups but rather a call for solutions to ongoing challenges.
Regarding Niger, President Tinubu called for support from neighboring countries and confirmed that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is still engaged in negotiations with the military junta. In his role as the Chairman of ECOWAS, he expressed his commitment to helping re-establish democratic governance in a manner that addresses both the political and economic challenges facing the nation, including the threat of violent extremists seeking to sow instability in the region. He extended a hand of friendship to all those who genuinely support this mission.
President Tinubu lamented the prolonged battle against violent extremists, which has led to the emergence of a disturbing network of inhumane activities. He described how everything becomes a commodity along the route, with men, women, and children treated as mere possessions. Despite the risks, thousands still venture across the harsh Sahara desert and treacherous Mediterranean waters in search of a better life. Simultaneously, mercenaries and extremists, armed with deadly weapons and harmful ideologies, infiltrate the region from the north. President Tinubu emphasized that this destructive trade undermines the peace and stability of the entire region.
As a consequence, President Tinubu stressed the importance of African nations focusing on improving their economies to create opportunities for their citizens, so they no longer have to risk their lives doing menial jobs abroad. Additionally, he emphasized the commitment to dismantling extremist groups operating within African territories.
President Tinubu also used his inaugural address at the United Nations General Assembly in New York to stress the need for the international community to redouble its efforts in curbing the inflow of arms and violent individuals into West Africa.
Turning his attention to the issue of mineral resources in Africa, he expressed grave concern about the ongoing exploitation and looting of these resources, emphasizing that such actions pose a severe threat to both peace and national security. President Tinubu highlighted how many regions in Africa blessed with abundant minerals have tragically become zones of suffering and exploitation. As an example, he mentioned the Democratic Republic of Congo, which has faced these challenges for decades, despite the significant presence of a UN mission in the country.
President Tinubu conveyed that the continuous exploitation of Africa’s mineral wealth threatens peace and endangers national security. He pointed out that numerous mineral-rich areas in Africa have been transformed into scenes of misery and exploitation, and he identified several countries that have been affected by this issue, including Sudan, Mali, Burkina Faso, and the Central African Republic. Furthermore, he drew attention to the fact that Nigeria has also encountered problems stemming from this crisis.
In the context of Nigeria, President Tinubu highlighted that foreign entities, in collaboration with local criminals aspiring to become warlords, have coerced thousands of people into forced labor for illegal mining of gold and other resources. He stressed that these illicit activities have siphoned off billions of dollars intended for the nation’s development, thereby fueling violent enterprises.
President Tinubu urged member nations to collaborate with African countries to discourage their corporations and citizens from participating in this modern-day plunder of Africa’s wealth.
