Tinubu Seeks Joint Maritime Task Force for Gulf of Guinea
Urges AU to Address Libya Crisis, Warns of Consequences on Sahel Region
President Bola Tinubu has urged the African Union (AU) to prioritize the establishment of a combined maritime task force to improve security in the Gulf of Guinea, a region that has been plagued by piracy and other maritime threats. Speaking at the 38th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Sunday, President Tinubu expressed Nigeria’s readiness to host the headquarters of the proposed task force in Lagos.
In his address, delivered on his behalf by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, Tinubu emphasized the urgency of bolstering security in the Gulf of Guinea, which is crucial to the safety and economic well-being of the African continent. “The time has come for the African Union Peace and Security Council to prioritise the creation of a Combined Maritime Task Force for the Gulf of Guinea,” Tinubu said.
This proposal comes on the heels of Nigeria’s agreement with the AU to provide Strategic Sea Lift Services for peace support operations and humanitarian efforts across the continent. Nigeria’s Defence Minister, Badaru Abubakar, signed the agreement, which will see the Nigerian Navy offer a vessel for these operations on a cost-recovery basis.
President Tinubu also welcomed the AU’s adoption of decisions to strengthen security across Africa, including upgrading Nigeria’s National Counter-Terrorism Centre to a Regional Counter-Terrorism Centre and renewing the mandate of the Multinational Joint Task Force to combat terrorism in the Lake Chad region.
On the crisis in Libya, President Tinubu raised concerns that instability in the North African country continues to exacerbate insecurity in the Sahel region, with countries like Sudan, Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan, and Gabon facing severe challenges in their democratic transitions. “The Sahel cannot enjoy peace as long as Libya does not,” he warned, urging the AU to support efforts to restore law and order in Libya.
Tinubu also called for greater support for African-led initiatives in peacekeeping, including backing the African Standby Force and exploring options to enhance AU Peace Support Operations with the backing of UN Security Council Resolution 2719. He stressed the need for the AU to guard against the increasing involvement of external forces, including private military companies, in African security issues.
In addition, President Tinubu voiced strong support for the creation of an African-led credit rating agency (ACRA), which would offer fairer and more transparent assessments of African economies. He explained that such an agency would help reduce the bias often present in global rating agencies and contribute to Africa’s financial autonomy.
Tinubu also highlighted the progress made with the African Financing Stability Mechanism (AFSM), which aims to address financial vulnerabilities on the continent. He commended the African Union, African Development Bank (AfDB), and other stakeholders for their efforts in advancing the financing framework that will support African countries in their development goals. The AFSM is seen as a vital tool in addressing rising debt, borrowing costs, and financial instability across the continent.
The Nigerian leader concluded by reiterating Nigeria’s commitment to the continued development of Africa, emphasizing the need for unity and coordinated action in facing the continent’s challenges.
