NAN-F-3
Conflict
By Ekemini Ladejobi
Addis Ababa, July 9, 2017 (NAN) Amb. Bankole Adeoye, Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the African Union (AU), says the conflicts in Mali and the Sahel, Libya, Guinea Bissau as well as the lingering crisis in Somalia would be addressed soon.
Adeoye said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Addis Ababa.
NAN reports that Zambia officially handed over the one-month rotational chairmanship of the AU Peace and Security Council (PSC) to Nigeria at the just concluded 29th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the AU.
The envoy said tackling the conflicts would be achieved under Nigeria’s chairmanship of the PSC in July as endorsed by member states.
“Issues relating to Mali, the Sahel, Libya and Guinea Bissau conflicts as well as others will be addressed.
“Nigeria will engage in practical steps to address and tackle terrorism and violent extremism on the continent,’’ he said.
He said Nigeria had brought a new dimension to promoting peace and security with emphasis on the need for all member states to also address the issue of child soldering and promoting the interests of children in schools.
“So, we are going to be addressing the issue of millions of out of school children, especially girls in conflict zones.
“We will be addressing issues that relates to the best way to guarantee the rights of the child, even in war zones.
`The protection of their interests will be guaranteed and this entails working with members of the PSC comprising 15 member states based on regional representation,’’ Adeoye said.
The envoy, who spoke further on his mandate at the AU, said this included promoting Nigeria’s core and strategic interest of good neighbourliness and friendly relations with member countries of the AU.
He said he would champion the three top programmes of President Muhammadu Buhari which are the anti-corruption campaign, economic diversification and promotion of peace and security.
“Nigeria is a leader and champion of the African cause; African cause in terms of sustainable development and inclusive growth,’’ Adeoye said. (NAN)
EAL/OJO
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(Edited by Mufutau Ojo)
Conflicts in Mali, Libya, others to be addressed soon–Envoy
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