Amb. Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, has urged a fresh dedication to multilateralism and an open analysis of the issues endangering world peace and governance.
He acknowledged the EU’s continued support for African-led efforts in a statement made at the 3rd EU-AU Ministerial Meeting in Brussels and the European Union–African Union Ministerial Follow-Up Committee.
In a statement released on Thursday by his Special Assistant on Media and Communications Strategy, Alkasim Abdulkadir, the minister stated that “the foreign minister of a large African country is meant to outline for his hosts at this point, when discussing peace, security, and governance, the progress we have made in tackling a host of complex issues – and the outstanding challenges that only closer cooperation can resolve.”
He listed a number of well-known but urgent problems, including the spread of small arms, climate change, violent extremism, irregular migration, democracy’s vulnerability, technology, commerce, and markets. Tuggar questioned the repetitive character of these conversations, calling on his peers to go beyond repetition and toward sincere introspection.
Usually, we all nod at this point and promise to take additional group action. And there have been a lot of good things.
“However, I question whether our attention to the signs of conflict and despair obscures our understanding of the root cause and the most effective ways to treat the condition.”
The Minister issued a warning about an increasingly precarious global framework, citing the larger geopolitical environment. As one of the most visible demonstrations of our belief in multilateral organizations, a rules-based international order, and the pursuit of shared solutions to shared issues, we are present here today.
He emphasized, “But we also know that it is a framework that has never looked so fragile.”
He mentioned the disruptive roles of disinformation, unregulated digital currencies, and non-state actors—factors that threaten the survival of both wealthy and developing countries.
Tuggar reiterated Nigeria’s faith in multilateralism and the potential of strategic alliances in spite of these obstacles.
He emphasized Nigeria’s ownership of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the African Continental Free Trade Area’s potential, and regional benefits within ECOWAS, such as freedom of movement as a feasible economic option for young Africans.
He reiterated Nigeria’s long-standing demands for UN reform, more equitable trade, and equal access to money, saying, “Nigeria believes that agencies survive only when they can adapt to circumstance.” “Not much was done, and we now face even more uncertainty into that emerging vacuum.”
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He talked about the internal difficulties African countries experience as they struggle to meet the growing demands of the public while having limited resources.
He cautioned that although there have been a number of coups in West Africa recently, “the crisis of democracy is global” and that the process “crowds out serious debate and empowers political snake oil salesmen.”
Tuggar cited the concurrent success of two foundational works—Hannah Arendt’s Origins of Totalitarianism and Jean Raspail’s Camp des Saints—drawing on his experience as Nigeria’s ambassador to Germany.
He stated, “We should acknowledge the lessons in the latter and the fears expressed in the former.” “We must not let our rights override our obligations. The truth is not a store that can be chosen or rejected based on personal preference.
He ended with a scathing critique of the disparate reactions to hate speech and misinformation around the world.
“We were informed that hate speech on the internet in Africa was a cost of freedom; arrests occur when it occurs here.”
