*Gaza: Nigeria Reiterates Stand On Two-State Solution
THE United States (US) Secretary of State, Mr. Antony Blinken, on Tuesday, January 23, said his country would provide an additional $45million to West African countries as part of a plan to battle instability, bringing total funding under the year-old programme to nearly $300m.
According to AFP and Reuters, Blinken, during a four-nation tour of African democracies to discuss US-African partnerships over trade, climate, infrastructure, health, security and other issues, met separately with President Bola Tinubu and Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara, following a Summit in Washington with African leaders in December 2022.
Blinken sought progress in combating coups and extremism in West Africa in talks with the two key leaders in the Sub-Saharan region, expressing commitment to peace, security in Africa, even as he stated that the US was still interested in doing business in Nigeria.
He, however, said the initiatives of America would greatly depend on the region’s dependable efforts at ensuring safety of civilian populations, adding: “Having said that, it’s important that we work to support our partners who are trying to find effective ways of providing security, and we are working to support Nigeria, to support our Lake Chad region partners.
“To strengthen the capacity of their security forces in a whole variety of ways to deal with insecurity. And yes, that does go to equipment and technology for weapons and we’re working on that.
“But it also goes to many other things including information sharing, intelligence, technical support, advice and it goes to having a comprehensive approach that genuinely focuses on citizen security.
“Working with local communities, in partnership, demonstrating the security forces that are there, first and foremost, to protect them and to support their needs.”
He stressed that the US was concerned about the security challenges faced by Africa in securing the region from extreme terrorism, violence and other criminal activities, adding that the US would continue to collaborate with regional and global partners to ensure that various strategies were employed to solve the worsening security situation on the continent.
Blinken has reiterated America’s commitment to investing in Nigeria’s economy, saying American entrepreneurs and companies were eager to partner with and invest in Nigeria, especially in the tech sector.
He stated: “We have tech giants that have teamed up with Nigerian partners to help Mr. President’s new one million digital Jobs Initiative. Other companies are part of laying undersea cables, using satellite technology to expand access to the Internet. Our tech incubators are fostering Nigeria’s next startups.
“Our venture capital companies are working to finance, so we want to work in partnership to help drive Nigeria’s technological revolution, which is creating jobs. It’s growing businesses and growing innovations in both of our countries.”
He acknowledged Nigeria’s significant role in the development partnership between America and the African continent because of its economic and political position, noting that his country was working to ensure that Africa gets more voice in the United Nations (UN) decision making as a way of incorporating the new realities and dynamics of the world.
“Today, we spoke about a range of common priorities, including our focus on accelerating economic growth and opportunity here. This is a place of extraordinary innovation, extraordinary dynamism.
“The US is committed to strengthening genuine partnerships on the continent, to solve shared challenges, and also to deliver on the promise and the fundamental aspirations of our peoples. Nigeria, as Africa’s largest country, largest economy and largest democracy is essential to that effort.
“We’re driving blue economic development, environmental protection, science and technology exchange through a new partnership for learning cooperation.
“At the UN General Assembly, just this past September, the President said, and I quote, ‘Africa is nothing less than the key to the world’s future.”
Blinken, however, said that as much as American would want collaboration for strengthening bilateral ties with Nigeria, the country must continue to tackle challenges to doing business, even as he added that the US recognised Tinubu’s strategic measures aimed at reviving the lost confidence of genuine investors in the country’s economy.
“I think it’s no secret that there remains some long-term challenges that need to be overcome to really unlock the full potential. Tackling corruption, making it easier for foreign companies to repatriate capital will all pull in a transformative direction and transformative direct investment.
“I know that Tinubu is focused on these challenges and we also welcome his very bold economic reforms to unify the currency and end fuel subsidy.
“We also recognise that in the short-term, these reforms created pain for vulnerable communities.”
Blinken said despite the identified challenges in Nigeria, the government and American entrepreneurs still continue to explore the great potential of the country in reaching Africa, stating that large investments were being made by private sector companies in collaboration with local entities to ensure that development was effected for the people, especially in the health sector.
“Over the last five years, we’ve invested $8.3 billion in HIV tuberculosis prevention, care and treatment, and in strengthening the public health system, reaching millions of Nigerians and that effort will continue.
“Our partnership is also strengthening Nigerian institutions to innovate and lead the region’s public health response.
“We’re driving climate action. As partners in the global coalition, we’re working in collaborating to support the development and use of artificial intelligence for good with 30 other Atlantic countries. One of the things we’ve learned from these partnerships is that they benefit us as much as any place or any company that we’re investing in.”
Meanwhile, Nigeria has reiterated its stance on the two-state solution to the crisis between the Palestinians and Israel.
Minister of Foreign Affair, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, who stated this while briefing State House Correspondents at the end of bilateral talks with his US counterpart, in Abuja, added, however, that Nigeria would continue to stand on issues of common interest with development partners in resolving the crisis in the Middle East.
“One thing we have in common, a common denominator, between the US and Nigeria, is the fact that we both agree that the way forward is a two-state solution. I think that’s what helps.
“Having said that, of course, each country behaves with regards to its foreign policy with the influence of domestic politics and influences.
“So, it’s not surprising that Nigeria, of course, has been very expressive and feels proportionality of violence, these linear approach in Gaza. This is why I was part of a seven-member committee of foreign ministers that pointed out to world capitals, calling for cessation of fire,” he said.
Responding, Blinken said the US would continue to move for strategies toward a lasting solution to the crisis, adding that measures must be taken to have lasting peace.
Blinken said: “With regards to Gaza, very clear, our opposition to, of course, displacements of people and whether it’s appropriate to have transitional arrangements, as Israel reduces the intensity of its military operations.
“And ultimately raised them to a conclusion in order to have assurance of security, to make sure that October 7 never happens again.”
