Tinubu Seeks Creation Of AU Maritime Task Force – Proposes Lagos As Headquarters
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has asked the African Union Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) to establish a combined maritime task force to enhance security in the Gulf of Guinea.
The Eden News reports that this was revealed in a statement issued by Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to Tibubu on information and strategy.
President Tinubu proposes creation of the security outfit at the 38th ordinary session of the assembly of the AU heads of state and government in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on Sunday.
Represented by Yusuf Tuggar, minister of foreign affairs, the president proposed Lagos, Nigeria’s economic hub, as its headquarters.
He said, “The time has come for the African Union Peace and Security Council to prioritise the creation of a combined maritime task force for the Gulf of Guinea.”
“I wish to announce that Nigeria would like to host the headquarters of the task force in Lagos.”
Tinubu recommended the maritime task force the same day Nigeria signed an agreement with the AU.
Nigeria agreed to provide strategic sea lift services for AU peace support operations, natural disaster support, humanitarian actions, and personnel movement.
Under the agreement, the Nigerian Navy will provide a vessel for the operations on a cost-recovery basis.
Badaru Abubakar, minister of defence signed the agreement on Nigeria’s behalf while Bankole Adeoye, AU commissioner for political affairs, peace, and security signed for the union.
According to the statement; the AUPSC had previously held a high-level meeting.
Tinubu expressed satisfaction at the decision to upgrade Nigerian National Counter-Terrorism Centre to a regional counter-terrorism centre, which was one of the outcomes of the meeting.
The president also highlighted the insecurity affecting Sahelian countries grappling with democratic transition.
He blamed the worsening situation on the instability in Libya and urged the assembly to back initiatives to restore law and order in the country.
Tinubu said, “It would not be out of place to explore the possibility of extending the inherent benefits of UN Security Council resolution 2719 to support AU peace support operations.”
He added that the AU must try to prevent the increasing incursion of extra-continental forces, including private military companies, into African security matters.
