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FG Seeks Permanent UN Security Council Seat For Africa

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Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, has called for Africa to be granted permanent membership in the United Nations Security Council. He positioned Nigeria as the continent’s ideal representative, stressing that the country’s leadership and influence make it the perfect candidate to voice Africa’s interests on the global stage.

Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on Tuesday, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar highlighted Africa’s glaring exclusion from the United Nations Security Council, despite the fact that around 60 percent of the Council’s resolutions address African issues. Tuggar made the point during a panel discussion titled “Africa’s Momentum,” urging for a more inclusive global governance system.

“Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, has canvassed for Africa’s permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council while advocating for Nigeria’s suitability to represent Africa on the global body,” according to a statement signed by the minister’s media aide, Alkasim Abdulkadir, on Wednesday.

Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, in his remarks, took aim at policies that unfairly burden Africa, such as the UN Security Council’s Deforestation Law. He highlighted how the law punishes African countries for deforestation while turning a blind eye to the global corporations that facilitate this environmental crisis.

Tuggar also highlighted Nigeria’s non-aligned foreign policy and strategic autonomy under President Bola Tinubu’s leadership. He emphasized the country’s commitment to fairness in global governance, advocating for a more active role for Africa in shaping international decision-making processes.

Moderated by Bronwen Maddox, Director of Chatham House, the panel featured a distinguished group of African leaders, including Tunisia’s Foreign Minister Mohammed Nafti, Therese Wagner of the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Uganda’s Finance Minister Matia Kasaija, each offering valuable insights.

Discussions centred on Africa’s role in global governance and the upcoming G20 Summit in South Africa.

Tuggar underscored Nigeria’s historical contributions to African liberation struggles, particularly its support for South Africa’s anti-apartheid movement.

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“The G20 Summit in South Africa presents an opportunity for us to make a strong case, in the case of Nigeria becoming a G20 member and of course, South is a brotherly neighbour, we have strong ties,” he stated.

He highlighted Nigeria’s soft power initiatives, such as the Technical Aid Corps, which deploys professionals to African, Caribbean, and Pacific nations to support development.

Tuggar also pointed out Nigeria’s unique position as the only African nation with a permanent seat in the African Union’s Peace and Security Council.

Advocating Nigeria’s inclusion in the G20, Tuggar argued that the country’s economic size, population of over 220 million (projected to reach 400 million by 2050), and global influence make it a strong candidate.

The minister stated, “It is important for a country like Nigeria to be a member of the G20 because we are used to making a case for Africa, we have got a lot of goodwill, we have got soft power.”

He called for the reassessment of Special Drawing Rights to fund Africa’s energy transition and a revival of technology transfer commitments made during the Rio Summit.

Tuggar also addressed criticisms of Africa’s representation in global forums, emphasising that the continent’s 54 nations should not be treated as a single entity.

He encouraged South Africa, host of the 2025 G20 Summit, to advocate for a more democratic and representative global system, and expressed confidence that South Africa would support Nigeria’s bid for greater inclusion.

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