Addis Ababa: The Federal Government of Nigeria has firmly rejected a proposal to create a separate department from the existing African Union’s (AU) Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security (PAPS). President Bola Tinubu articulated Nigeria’s stance through a statement delivered by Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, during discussions on AU reforms in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, President Tinubu emphasized that the reconfiguration of the PAPS Department as proposed would lead to unnecessary expenditures. He noted that the existing structure, which includes a Support Operations Directorate within the Directorate of PAPS, is sufficient. The creation of a new department could potentially disrupt the AU’s political affairs and peace and security processes.
Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, a Nigerian diplomat heading the department, was re-elected for another term at the 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the Heads of State and Government, which concluded on Sunday. The Nigerian government expressed support for AU reforms aimed at making the organization more vibrant and relevant to the needs of its member states amid evolving global political and economic landscapes.
President Tinubu commended Rwandan President Paul Kagame and Kenyan President Williams Ruto for their reform proposals. Nigeria endorsed the establishment of a Heads of State and Government oversight Committee for AU Reforms under President Ruto’s leadership. Tinubu also stressed the importance of inclusiveness and transparency in the reform process, urging the AU to focus on implementing policies and programs already adopted.
The Nigerian government reiterated its support for phased reforms and emphasized the need to avoid continuous consultations on all fronts. Tinubu assured that Nigeria would continue backing the reform process as long as it remained transparent, inclusive, and did not destabilize the existing framework.