AU endorses Nigeria for UN non-permanent seat

   

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Olugbenga Ashiru

The African Union has endorsed Nigeria’s quest for a non-permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru, told journalists on Friday at the sideline of the ongoing 21st ordinary session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the AU holding in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Ashiru spoke just as President Goodluck Jonathan arrived in Addis Ababa for the summit.

The minister said the decision was taken at a meeting of ministers of the union’s 50-member states on Thursday evening.

He said having earlier secured the backing of the Economic Community of West African States for the seat, Nigeria will now concentrate on reaching out to other regional groups since two-third of the nations is needed.

The minister said the decision to endorse Nigeria was taken unanimously by those who attended the meeting.

He said, “The endorsement was done based on our nation’s track record and achievements. It was done unanimously.

“The next step is for us to reach out to other regional groups like Asia, Europe and America.

“But one thing is sure, the regional endorsement that we have secured is like obtaining a B+ already. Other regional groups will only shore up the score.”

Ashiru added that the endorsement had further confirmed Nigeria’s robust foreign policy.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Martins Uhonmoibhi, said this was the first time since 1960 that Nigeria would be getting the seat ‘back-to-back.’

He said with Nigeria’s role in peace keeping across the world, the nation deserved to get the seat and have a say in global affairs.

“There is no taxation without representation. Nigeria is demanding that because it has done peace keeping role since 1960, it has a right to determine how the world is governed,” he said.

Meanwhile, Jonathan arrived in Addis Ababa on Friday to join his counterparts across Africa for the summit, which coincided with the 50th anniversary of the Organisation of African Union that later transformed into AU.

At the sidelines of the summit, the President is expected to hold bilateral talks with some African leaders, including those of Egypt, Benin Republic and Serbia.

Barring any last minute change in plan, Jonathan is also expected to hold talks with the UN Secretary-General, Mr. Ban Ki-Moon; and United States Secretary of State, Mr. John Kerry among others.