President Muhammadu Buhari says African countries may not attain the goals continental leaders have set for the region by 2063 over the challenges facing the continent.

Buhari, however, stated that they can be achieved if there is a unity of purpose among all the countries.

According to a statement issued by his spokesman, Garba Shehu, the President said this at the ongoing US-Africa Leaders Summit in Washington DC, United States on Thursday.

He said: “Africa’s security and development landscape has undergone significant transformation over the past decades. The continent has witnessed increased, diverse and complex threats including climate change, the scourge of terrorism, violent extremism, transnational organized crimes, ideological radicalization, and recently, an upsurge in Unconstitutional Change of Governments (UCGs).

“It is clearly evident that these developments negatively impact national, regional and continental stability and undermine our drive towards achieving AU Agenda 2063 and our flagship project ‘Silencing the Guns in Africa’, as well as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). That is why we must continue to act collectively, in unity and solidarity in our fight against these threats.”

President Buhari called on member states to ensure that inclusive governance, constitutionalism as well as strengthening of African Union mediating support mechanisms and conflict prevention mechanisms are emplaced as a panacea to emerging intra/interstate resurgence of conflicts in Africa.

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“As leaders, we must recommit ourselves to shared values, vision, unity and solidarity, particularly in upholding constitutionalism, democracy and good governance.

“We must also embrace a multidimensional approach in order to achieve peace, security and sustainable development, in line with our aspirations contained in Agenda 2063,” he said.

Buhari noted while many African countries have conducted successful elections, drastic actions have also been taken in cases of unconstitutional regime changes, commending the improved harmony between the African Union Commission and the United Nations.

“As you may be aware, a number of successful national elections that facilitated peaceful political transitions across the continent have been held. Equally, military coups have been condemned and rejected, with the restoration of constitutional order in some countries and the suspension of four Member States from the activities of the African Union.

“There is now improved coordination between the African Union Commission, the United Nations and various foreign partners leading to the adoption of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolution 2457 (2019), an embodiment of the commitment of the international community to complement Africa’s efforts to silencing the Guns on the continent.

“We have also seen progress in regional cooperation to fight terrorism and violent extremism through the establishment of ad-hoc mechanisms endorsed by the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union.

“The need to continue strict implementation of the Arms Trade Treaty, Arms Embargoes, including other relevant regional and international instruments to complement and consolidate the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA) cannot be over-emphasised.

“Equally important is the need to ensure the harmonization of the African Peace and Security Architecture and the African Governance Architecture (AGA). This would ensure better evidence-based early warning mechanisms that can be translated to early conflict preventive action by the AU Peace and Security Council,” President Buhari added.

Reiterating the commitment of the Nigerian government towards good governance as well as the collective fight against terrorism and  the humanitarian challenges arising therefrom, Buhari said: “We have replicated these realities particularly, in the Lake Chad Basin region, where we are very supportive of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) to fight terrorism and transnational-organized crimes, as well as the ongoing stabilisation strategy in the area aimed at dealing with the impact of climate change and other humanitarian challenges.

“In addition, my government has made it a priority to conduct violence-free elections in the 2023 general elections in Nigeria. As highlighted in my Independence Day remarks on 1st October, 2022; I would like to reiterate, that no matter what gains we make, without good governance anchored on credible elections that are free, fair, credible and transparent, our development efforts would remain futile and our citizenry would be worse off. It is for this reason that I have resolved to bequeath a sustainable democratic culture, which will remain a lasting legacy.

“The signing of the Electoral Act 2021, as amended, with landmark provisions, further assures us of a more transparent and inclusive electoral process,” the President stated.

The Star