Nigeria has urged the worldwide neighborhood to chorus from what it known as “naming and shaming” the nation over the safety challenges presently confronting it.
The Chargé d’Affaires, Everlasting Mission of Nigeria to the UN, Mr Syndoph Endoni, made the remarks whereas delivering Nigeria’s assertion on the United Nations Safety Council in New York.
The Nigerian envoy spoke on the Illicit Proliferation of Small Arms and Mild Weapons (SALW) and Its Affect on the Sahel Area.
He stated the unchecked move of those weapons has exacerbated conflicts, extended insurgencies and intensified the actions of terrorist and violent extremist teams, resulting in wanton destruction of harmless lives and property.
“The human toll, together with lives misplaced, communities displaced and livelihoods destroyed, remind us that this isn’t merely a safety challenge however a profound humanitarian and developmental concern,” he stated.
“We condemn these felony acts, notably these perpetrated by way of the usage of these available small arms as a result of they’re inhuman, depraved and outrightly unacceptable.
“We want to stress that it’s not by naming and shaming that we are able to remedy this monumental downside however solely by working collectively that the issue might be solved.”
Nigeria’s assertion was in opposition to the background of the U.S. designation of Nigeria as a “Nation of Specific Concern” over alleged Christian genocide, which the Nigerian authorities have rejected.
The Safety Council, of which the U.S. is without doubt one of the 5 everlasting members, is probably the most influential organ of the UN with the first accountability to take care of worldwide peace and safety.
Underneath the UN Constitution, all Member States are obligated to adjust to Council choices.
Nigeria stated illicit proliferation of small arms and light-weight weapons is a problem that continues to undermine peace, safety and stability, particularly throughout the Sahel area.
“Within the Sahel, the convergence of illicit arms trafficking, terrorism, organised crime and human trafficking has created a fancy safety surroundings that threatens not solely regional but additionally worldwide peace and safety,” he stated.
“For Nigeria, the influence is direct and extreme, because the illicit circulation of small arms and light-weight weapons has continued to gas terrorism, maintain armed banditry, communal conflicts and undermines nationwide and regional efforts towards sustainable peace and growth.”
In response to this monumental downside, Endoni stated Nigeria has taken sturdy nationwide and regional measures to stem the tide of illicit weapons.
He stated domestically, Nigeria established the Nationwide Centre for the Management of Small Arms and Mild Weapons in 2021 as a everlasting construction to coordinate all efforts on arms management and to make sure full alignment with worldwide obligations.
On the regional degree, Nigeria continues to work carefully with ECOWAS and the Multinational Joint Activity Drive to boost border safety, intelligence sharing and joint operations.
He stated these operations are aimed toward dismantling trafficking networks and chopping off arms provides to non-state actors.
On the multilateral degree, he stated Nigeria stays steadfast in implementing the UN Programme of Motion and the Worldwide Tracing Instrument (ITI), in addition to in upholding the ideas of the Arms Commerce Treaty (ATT).
In line with him, Nigeria was the primary African State to signal and ratify ATT.
Endoni stated Nigeria considered these devices as indispensable elements of the worldwide structure to curb the illicit move of arms and strengthen accountability in arms transfers.
“Addressing this menace requires a complete and coordinated method.
“The Safety Council should proceed to combine small arms management into the broader battle prevention, peacekeeping, and peacebuilding agendas.
“It’s equally vital that sanctions regimes and arms embargoes are successfully carried out, monitored and supported with sufficient technical capability for Member States in affected areas.”
Nigeria known as for sustained worldwide help in capacity-building, know-how switch and border administration.
“We additionally stress the necessity for enhanced synergy between the UN, regional organisations and nationwide governments to handle the basis causes of instability, poverty, inequality, weak governance and the shortage of alternatives for youth.”
Nigeria reaffirmed its unwavering dedication to working with this Council and all companions towards a Sahel that’s peaceable, safe and resilient, the place small arms and light-weight weapons not threaten our collective aspiration for lasting stability and growth.
