President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared Nigeria’s readiness to collaborate with the AU to secure consensus positions for the continent on economic and socio-political relations for Africa in the World.
The Nigerian leader has also called on African leaders to jointly build a model of sustainable development that will move the continent beyond narrow visions.
President Tinubu stated this during a bilateral discussion with the President of the Union of Comoros and Chairperson of the African Union (AU), President Azali Assoumani, in New York.
He urged the AU members to embrace freedom and constitutional order to bring development and prosperity to Africa, saying that this is “the critical hallmark of sustainable development.”
“There is nothing that can bring development and prosperity, outside of embracing freedom and constitutional order. It is a critical hallmark of sustainable development. We appreciate that the AU is working hard to bring about peace in the Sahel and is actively negotiating between the warring factions in Sudan. Peace in Sudan will be a great achievement. I appreciate your effort in Burkina Faso and our effective cooperation with Niger,” the Nigerian Leader explained.
President Tinubu emphasized the place of peace and stability of AU member states stressing that “Africa must be peaceful to take maximum advantage of developmental opportunities.”
He said; “You can call me at any time and we will discuss the peace and stability of AU member states. We need stability and prosperity for the black race. This is our era. We must be peaceful to take maximum advantage of the developmental opportunities presented to Africa in this era. We must build a model of sustainable development.
“Nigeria will collaborate with you. But we must move beyond those whose vision of Africa is narrow and evil. We are not afraid of confrontation, but we prefer to be restrained for now, at this time.”
The Chairperson of the African Union, President Azali Assoumani said that “the African Union seeks to complete Nigeria’s effort in securing peace and prosperity in Africa, rather than competing with it.”
“It is our responsibility to confront the extra-constitutional wrestling for power on the continent. We have told China and Russia that they have a responsibility to ensure that these countries are stable, as there will be no developmental partnership where there is a lack of stability in countries being impacted by coupists. We appreciate your stand on these matters,” the AU Chairperson said.
As President of the Union of Comoros, Assoumani said “Comoros seeks to learn from Nigeria’s experience concerning the steady improvement in diversity management, electoral officiation, and economic growth over many years.”
“We want to turn our country into an emerging economy and we need the experience of Nigeria as we seek your cooperation to conduct an election that will win us the respect of the international community and allow us to develop at the right speed and quality,” the Comoros President stated.
Mercy Chukwudiebere
