Buhari blames terrorism on Iraqi, Syrian fighters
• Unfolds Nigeria’s stance on global matters
President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday reiterated his position that terrorism and insurgency in the
Sahel region and Lake Chad Basin are fueled by local runaway fighters from Iraq and Syria and arms from the disintegration of Libya.
Buhari spoke in New York where he unfolded Nigeria’s positions on international matters before the
global audience during the opening of the General Debate of the 73rd Session of the United Nation’s
General Assembly (UNGA73).Presenting Nigeria’s national statement, the president first paid glowing
tributes to the late seventh UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, for his invaluable contributions to global
peace.
“We in Africa, while mourning the loss of this great son of ours and citizen of the world, take pride in the
way he served humanity in a truly exemplary manner. He demonstrated, in his calm but determined
manner, the virtues of compassion, dedication to the cause of justice, fairness and human rights. He was
a visionary leader who inspired hope even in the face of the most daunting challenges. He devoted his
entire life’s career to the UN and the pursuit of its ideals and goals. The world is indeed a better place,
thanks to his exemplary service,” he said.
Buhari noted that in the past year, the world saw some positive results and encouraging signs from the
bilateral and multilateral efforts of the international community to address conflicts, crises and threats
to world peace. He commended “the efforts of the leaders of the United States, North Korea and South
Korea, to realise our shared goal of a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula.”He also acknowledged the
commitment to peace shown by President Donald Trump and Chairman Kim Jong-Un by initiating a
historic summit, urging both leaders to “continue this positive engagement.”
The president expressed regret about some lingering threats to peace and security around the world,
lamenting that in some cases, matters got worse. “The continuing plight of the Rohingyas in Myanmar,
the protracted Israeli/Palestinian conflict, the wars in Yemen, and Syria, and the fight against
international and local terrorism such as Boko Haram and Al-Shabaab come to mind.”
President Buhari, in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina,
said: “The terrorist insurgencies we face, particularly in the Sahel and the Lake Chad Basin, are partly
fuelled by local factors and dynamics, but now increasingly by the international Jihadi Movement,
runaway fighters from Iraq and Syria and arms from the disintegration of Libya.
“In Myanmar, the carnage appears to have thankfully abated somewhat. We commend the United
Nations for staying focused on the situation of the Rohingya people, to bring their suffering to an end,
and hold to account the perpetrators of the atrocious crimes committed against innocent and
vulnerable members of this community, including women, children and the old.”
He called on the international community to strengthen its resolve to combat ethnic and religious
cleansing everywhere. The president expressed Nigeria’s support for the UN’s efforts in ensuring that
the Rohingya refugees are allowed to return to their homes in Myanmar with security, protection, and
guarantee of citizenship.
Drawing the attention of the international community to the “carnage and the worsening humanitarian
situations in Syria and Yemen,” the Nigerian leader cautioned that “the international community cannot
afford to give up on the Syrian and Yemeni people. We must pursue all efforts to find peaceful political
solutions to these wars which cannot be won by force of arms alone. Regarding Syria, we hope that the
UN-sponsored Geneva process and the Sochi initiative, led by Russia, Iran, and Turkey advance this
objective.”
He added that, “The International community must keep up the pressure to encourage the parties to
pursue the path of dialogue, negotiations and inclusiveness in resolving their sectarian divides and
bringing to an end the immense human suffering in Syria as well as Yemen. We commend Turkey,
Jordan, Greece, Germany, Italy and France for hosting the millions of the refugees fleeing these brutal
conflicts.”
On the worsening Middle East conflict, President Buhari called “on the Israelis and the Palestinians to
make the necessary compromises in the interest of justice, peace and security, in line with our
numerous UN resolutions and applicable international laws.”Observing that “unilateral, arbitrary and
insensitive actions only prolong the conflict and undermine world peace and security,” he attributed the
deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza to the “appalling result of the unrestrained use of power.”
Nigeria, the president said, urged “both parties to re-engage in dialogue on the basis of relevant UN
resolutions, the Madrid Principles, the Quartet Roadmap and the Arab Peace Initiative, among others.
He also reaffirmed Nigeria’s “unwavering support for a just two-state solution, negotiated without
intimidation and with Israel and Palestine existing side-by-side in peace and security.”
Citing the current peace between Ethiopia and Eritrea, and the commitment towards peace between
Djibouti and Somalia, President Buhari declared:”I believe that with hard work, commitment, and a
disposition to compromise and necessary sacrifices, peace is achievable in the Middle East as well.”
Source: Guardian News
