Buhari Calls For Multilateral Approach To Combat Terrorism
President Muhammadu Buhari has recommended a multilateral approach to combat terrorism in the African, Caribbean, and Pacific (ACP) States, to prevent serious threats to security and international peace.
Ms Sarah Sanda, Special Assistant Media to the Minister of Foreign Affairs made this known in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.
Sanda quoted President Buhari, who was represented by Foreign Affairs Onyeama, as saying that without assurance of global peace and sanctity of lives and property, the ACP will be impossible.
“Today, terrorist activities continue to pose serious threats to human security and international peace. Without assured global peace as well as the sanctity of lives and properties, the ACP of our dreams would be a mirage.
“The ACP Group of States is well-positioned to recommend multi-lateral deterrent measures and future-readiness mechanisms that would discourage the spread of terrorism.
“Through the advancement of the rule of law, human rights, democratic values, tolerance and inclusiveness as articulated in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 10 and 16 in the Post Cotonou Agreement.
“The African, Caribbean, Pacific Group of States must take the measures since the ACP nations and neighbourhoods are most vulnerable to terrorism.
“It is only within a peaceful environment that our economic cooperation and national development can thrive,” Buhari said.
President Buhari also stressed on the issue of illicit financial flows in relation to human development and the achievement of the SDGs.
According to the President, it is imperative that measures are included in the Post-Cotonou Agreement to curtail illicit financial flows and promote the fight against corruption and recovery of stolen assets.
“This is the way to minimise the negative impact of illicit financial flows on the economies of African, Caribbean, Pacific States.
“The African, Caribbean, Pacific States will also be better served if we embrace and implement cross-jurisdictional instruments and bilateral agreements on illicit financial flows,” Buhari said.
Onyeama, who also spoke on behalf of the African Group at the summit, noted that for terrorism to be defeated in Africa, there was the need for a holistic and well-funded approach.
Onyeama noted that terrorism and violent extremism have had adverse effects on the economy, culture, psychology and social life of the African people.
