•As Nigeria steps up to lead the Gulf of Guinea security efforts
• AU calls for immediate removal of M23 rebels and their supporters from eastern DR Congo.
• President Tinubu advocates for African-led credit rating agency, highlights instability in Libya and Sahel.
'Seun Ibukun-Oni, Abuja
DAILY COURIER - The African Union (AU) has issued a stern warning against the territorial break-up of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), as the Rwandan-backed M23 rebel group continues to advance in the country’s volatile eastern region. The warning comes amid escalating violence that has raised fears of a regional conflict and drawn international concern.
Speaking at the 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union Heads of State and Government in Addis Ababa, AU Peace and Security Commissioner Bankole Adeoye emphasized the need to preserve the DRC’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
“We don’t want a balkanisation of eastern DRC,” Adeoye told reporters. “We are calling for the immediate removal of M23 and their supporters from all towns and cities, including Goma airport.”
The M23 rebel group, which seized the provincial capital of Goma in late January, has recently expanded its control to a second city, further destabilizing a region already scarred by decades of conflict. The situation has prompted urgent calls for intervention, with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warning on Saturday that a “regional escalation must be avoided at all costs.”
In a related development, Nigeria has announced its readiness to host the headquarters of a proposed Combined Maritime Task Force (CMTF) in Lagos, as part of efforts to enhance security in the Gulf of Guinea. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu made the announcement during the AU summit, calling on the African Union Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) to prioritize the establishment of the task force.
“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,” President Tinubu declared.
The Gulf of Guinea, a critical global shipping route, has been plagued by piracy, illegal fishing, and other maritime crimes, posing significant threats to the economic stability of coastal nations. Nigeria’s offer to host the CMTF headquarters underscores its commitment to leading regional efforts to secure the waters and foster economic growth.
In a significant move to support AU operations, Nigeria signed an agreement to provide Strategic Sea Lift Services for peace support missions, natural disaster response, humanitarian actions, and personnel movement. The agreement, signed by Nigeria’s Defence Minister, Badaru Abubakar, and AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, will see the Nigerian Navy deploy vessels for AU operations on a cost-recovery basis.
The signing ceremony was witnessed by high-ranking Nigerian officials, including the Attorney-General and Justice Minister, Prince Lateef Fagbemi; Naval Chief, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla; and Director-General of the Nigerian Intelligence Agency, Ambassador Muhammed Muhammed.
President Tinubu also addressed the worsening instability in Libya and its impact on the Sahel region, calling for concerted efforts to restore law and order in the North African nation. “The Sahel cannot enjoy peace as long as Libya does not,” he warned.
The Nigerian leader welcomed the AUPSC’s decision to upgrade Nigeria’s National Counter-Terrorism Centre to a Regional Counter-Terrorism Centre, a move expected to enhance the continent’s capacity to combat terrorism and violent extremism. He also commended the renewal of the mandate of the Multinational Joint Taskforce, which addresses security challenges in the Lake Chad Region.
Beyond security, President Tinubu strongly supported the establishment of an African-led credit rating agency (ACRA), emphasizing the need for fairer and more transparent credit assessments for African economies. He noted that the bias often observed in existing global rating agencies undermines Africa’s economic potential.
“An independent African-led rating agency will help provide fairer assessments of African economies and reduce the bias often observed in existing global rating agencies,” he said.
The Nigerian leader also commended the AU, the African Development Bank (AfDB), and the Specialised Technical Committee (STC) on Finance for their efforts in advancing the Africa Financing Stability Mechanism (AFSM), a framework designed to address financial vulnerabilities and foster economic resilience across the continent.
President Tinubu appealed to AU member states to demonstrate flexibility in adopting the draft Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the operationalisation of the African Standby Force, reiterating Nigeria’s unwavering support for the initiative.
As the AU grapples with the escalating crisis in the DRC and Nigeria steps up to lead maritime security efforts in the Gulf of Guinea, the continent faces a critical juncture in its pursuit of peace, stability, and economic resilience. The outcomes of these efforts will have far-reaching implications for Africa’s future.
