A statement on Saturday signed by the presidential spokesperson, Femi Adesina, and titled, ‘Nigeria Re-elected into the African Union Peace and Security Council: Addis Ababa’, noted that Nigeria pulled 44 votes in the first round to secure the statutory 2/3 votes required to win the election.
According to the statement, the election of the 15-member Council was held on February 3, 2022 during the 40th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of the African Union (Ministers of Foreign Affairs) in Addis Ababa.
“Also elected for a three-year mandate alongside Nigeria, were Cameroon, Djibouti, Morocco, and Namibia. Elected for a two year mandate were Burundi, Congo, Uganda, Tanzania, Tunisia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Ghana, Senegal, and Gambia.
“Nigeria is the only country that has sustained the membership of the PSC since the inception of the Organ in 2004, following the Decision of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government dedicating a Seat of three-year term to Nigeria at every PSC election.
“This is in recognition of Nigeria’s sterling contributions to the maintenance of peace and security in Africa and beyond. It is in consonance with the AUPSC Protocol and without prejudice to the 2/3 votes standard requirement,” the statement further.
On the council’s role, the statement said, “The PSC is a standing decision-making organ of the African Union charged with responsibilities of: conducting early warning and preventive diplomacy; facilitating peace-making; establish peace-support operations; and, in certain circumstances recommend intervention in Member States to promote peace, security and stability.
“The PSC works in support of peace-building and post-conflict reconstruction as well as humanitarian action and disaster management. It is mandated to institute sanctions; and implement the AU’s common defence policy.
“The PSC also ensures the implementation of key conventions and instruments to combat international terrorism; promote coordination between regional mechanisms and the AU with respect to peace, security and stability in Africa.”
It however added that, “His Excellency, Victor A. Adeleke, is the Nigerian Ambassador to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the African Union and represents Nigeria in this important Council at the Permanent Representatives level.”
