‘Lingering insurgency, increased climate disasters’ — 5 takeaways from Tinubu’s UNGA speech

On Wednesday, President Bola Tinubu addressed the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) at the UN headquarters in New York, United States, for the first time. 

In his speech to world leaders, the president highlighted a number of issues plaguing Nigeria and Africa — from foreign exploitation, human trafficking, forced migration, to the need to tackle the climate crisis.

Here are five key takeaways from the president’s presentation. 

FOREIGN EXPLOITATION SETTING AFRICA BACK

Speaking at the high-level general debate, Tinubu mentioned foreign exploitation and interference as reasons for Africa’s stunted growth.

Although he noted that poor governance has played a role in the continent’s problems, he reiterated that “broken promises, unfair treatment and outright exploitation from abroad have also exacted a heavy toll on our ability to progress”.

“Due to both longstanding internal and external factors, Nigeria’s and Africa’s economic structures have been skewed to impede development, industrial expansion, job creation, and the equitable distribution of wealth,” he said.

The president said he removed the “costly and corrupt fuel subsidy” and discarded a “noxious exchange rate system” in his first days in office in order to promote economic growth and investor trust in the country.

He asked investors to prioritise Africa’s development, saying the goal should be a partnership that would be beneficial to all parties. 

PROTRACTED BATTLE AGAINST INSURGENCY 

Tinubu also expressed concerns about Nigeria’s inability to completely crush insurgency.

“Our entire region is locked in a protracted battle against violent extremists,” he said. 

“In the turmoil, a dark channel of inhumane commerce has formed. Along the route, everything is for sale. Men, women and children are seen as chattel.

“Yet, thousands risk the Sahara’s hot sand and the Mediterranean’s cold depths in search of a better life. At the same time, mercenaries and extremists with their lethal weapons and vile ideologies invade our region from the north.

“This harmful traffic undermines the peace and stability of an entire region.”

The president said African nations will increase efforts to tackle extremist groups by improving their economies “so that our people do not risk their lives to sweep the floors and streets of other nations”. 

Tinubu added that the solution also lies in the commitment of the international community to arrest the proliferation of arms in West Africa.

TACKLING CLIMATE CHANGE

As part of efforts to tackle climate change, Tinubu said the country will build political consensus by “highlighting remedial actions which also promote economic good”. 

“Projects such as the Green Wall to stop desert encroachment, halting the destruction of our forests by mass production and distribution of gas burning stoves, and providing employment in local water management and irrigation projects are examples of efforts that equally advance both economic and climate change objectives,” he said.

The president said these efforts were necessitated by the climate crisis that have severely affected the country, resulting in desert encroachment in the north and coastal flooding and erosion in the south. 

The Nigerian leader said African nations are committed to fighting climate change but must do so on just and fair terms. 

He also extended his condolences and support to the people of Morocco and Libya who are currently dealing with climate disasters. 

RE-ESTABLISHING DEMOCRACY IN AFRICA

Speaking on the spate of coups in Africa, Tinubu, who doubles as the chairperson of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), said efforts must be intensified to affirm that democratic governance is the best guarantor of the sovereign will and well-being of the people. 

He noted that the wave of coups do not demonstrate a favourable disposition towards military rulership, but are borne out of a demand for solutions to perennial problems.

“As chairman of ECOWAS, I seek to help re-establish democratic governance in a manner that addresses the political and economic challenges confronting that nation, including the violent extremists who seek to foment instability in our region,” he said.

“I extend a hand of friendship to all who genuinely support this mission.”

Tinubu added that the bloc is negotiating with the military leaders in Niger Republic to restore constitutional order to the country.

ILLEGAL MINING

“The fourth important aspect of global trust and solidarity is to secure the continent’s mineral rich areas from pilfering and conflict,” Tinubu said. 

He cited the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Sudan, Mali, Burkina Faso, and the Central African Republic as examples of areas that have become catacombs of misery and exploitation.

“The problem also knocks on Nigeria’s door,” the president said. 

“Foreign entities abetted by local criminals who aspire to be petty warlords have drafted thousands of people into servitude to illegally mine gold and other resources. 

“Billions of dollars meant to improve the nation now fuel violent enterprises. If left unchecked, they will threaten peace and place national security at grave risk.”

Tinubu asked his global counterparts to respond by working with African governments, in a bid to deter their firms and nationals from plundering the continent’s riches.