warns against the theft of resources from Africa
On Tuesday, President Bola Tinubu denounced the recent wave of military coups in Africa, calling them wrong and unrepresentative of the aspirations of all Africans.
He claimed that coups are widespread because there is “a demand for solutions to perennial problems,” not because Africa is in favor of an unlawful change in the status quo.
This was expressed by Tinubu in his first speech to his colleagues during a discussion at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, USA.
We must affirm democratic government as the best protector of the people’s sovereign will and general welfare, he said. Military takeovers are improper, as are any skewed civil political arrangements that support injustice.
Only in 2023 did armed forces overthrow democratically-elected administrations led by Mohamed Bazzoum in Niger and Ali Bongo in Gabon.
This takes the total number of successful military coups in Africa since 1950 to 107, accounting for the majority of the world’s 24 total.
“The wave crossing parts of Africa does not demonstrate favor towards coups,” the leader of Nigeria claimed. There is a need for solutions to enduring issues.
Regarding Niger, Tinubu urged assistance from ally nations while reiterating that the Economic Community of West African States is still in talks with the coup government.
He declared, “As Chairman of ECOWAS, I wish to assist in the restoration of democratic governance in a manner that addresses the political and economic difficulties facing that nation, especially the violent extremists who seek to sow unrest in our area. I extend a friendly hand to everyone who sincerely backs this cause.
The President bemoaned how the protracted fight against violent extremists has produced “a dark channel of inhumane commerce.”
He responded, “Everything along the path is for sale. Children, women, and men are viewed as chattel.However, hundreds of people peril their lives by crossing the Mediterranean and the Sahara in pursuit of a better life.
“At the same time, mercenaries and extremists from the north invade our region with their deadly weapons and evil ideologies.”
According to Tinubu, the negative traffic threatens the peace and stability of the entire region.
As a result, “African countries will strengthen their economy so that their citizens won’t risk their lives sweeping the floors and sidewalks of other countries.
“We also commit to removing extremist organizations from our territory.”
However, he urged the international community to step up efforts to stop the entry of armed forces and violent individuals into West Africa.
Speaking about mineral riches in Africa, Tinubu issued a warning that ongoing looting of these resources puts national security and the peace at risk.
“If allowed uncontrolled, they pose a serious threat to national security and the peace.
He noted that the Democratic Republic of Congo has endured this for decades despite the significant UN presence there, claiming that many of Africa’s mineral-rich regions have turned into “catacombs of misery and exploitation.”
“The DRC is owed a lot by the global economy, yet she receives very little in return. There is little respect for national boundaries in the mayhem committed in resource-rich areas. The list includes Sudan, Mali, Burkina Faso, and CAR.
Nigeria’s door is likewise being knocked by the issues.
“Thousands of individuals have been conscripted into servitude to illegally mine gold and other resources by foreign organizations who are assisted by local criminals who aim to be petty warlords. Millions of cash intended to improve the country are now used to finance violent activities. He remarked,
In order to “deter their firms and nationals from this 21st century pillage of the continent’s riches,” he recommended member countries to cooperate with Africa.
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