Nigeria has made a strong appeal to the international community to cease what it describes as 'naming and shaming' the country regarding its ongoing security challenges. The call came during an important address at the United Nations Security Council in New York.
Diplomatic Appeal at UN Security Council
Mr. Syndoph Endoni, the Chargé d'Affaires of Nigeria's Permanent Mission to the UN, delivered the country's position during discussions about the Illicit Proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) and its devastating impact on the Sahel Region. The envoy emphasized that the uncontrolled flow of these weapons has significantly worsened conflicts across the region.
Endoni explained how the availability of these weapons has prolonged insurgencies and intensified operations by terrorist and violent extremist groups. This dangerous situation has resulted in massive destruction of innocent lives and property throughout affected areas.
Humanitarian Crisis and Regional Impact
The Nigerian representative highlighted the severe human cost of the weapons proliferation, stating that the loss of lives, displacement of communities, and destruction of livelihoods demonstrate this is not merely a security issue. "This is a profound humanitarian and developmental concern," Endoni told the Security Council gathering.
Nigeria strongly condemned the criminal acts carried out using readily available small arms, describing them as inhuman, wicked, and completely unacceptable. The envoy's comments came against the backdrop of recent international criticism, including the United States' designation of Nigeria as a "Country of Particular Concern" over alleged Christian genocide - a classification Nigerian authorities have firmly rejected.
Call for Collaborative Solutions
Rather than international criticism, Nigeria emphasized the need for cooperative approaches to address the security challenges. "We wish to stress that it is not by naming and shaming that we can solve this enormous problem, but only by working together that the problem can be solved," Endoni asserted.
The Nigerian position underscores the complex nature of security challenges in the Sahel region and advocates for international cooperation instead of condemnation as the most effective path toward sustainable solutions.
