Nigeria has voiced strong opposition to a proposal seeking to split the African Union’s (AU) Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security (PAPS), arguing that such a move would be counterproductive and financially burdensome.
President Bola Tinubu, represented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, made Nigeria’s position known during deliberations on AU reforms at the 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government.
In a statement released in Abuja by the special adviser to the president on information and strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu expressed Nigeria’s commitment to making the AU more effective, commending Rwandan and Kenyan Presidents, Paul Kagame and William Ruto, for their reform proposals. Nigeria also endorsed the creation of a Heads of State and Government oversight committee, led by President Ruto, to monitor AU reforms. Additionally, the country supported limiting the AU Summit agenda to a maximum of three strategic items to ensure efficiency.
However, Tinubu firmly rejected the proposal to restructure the PAPS Department, currently headed by Nigerian diplomat Ambassador Bankole Adeoye. He warned that splitting the department would increase costs unnecessarily and destabilize the AU’s peace and security framework.
“We do not support the proposal to reconfigure the Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security. The suggested changes will only lead to needless expenditure,” Tinubu stated. “We already have a Peace Support Operations Directorate within PAPS. Creating another department would disrupt the AU’s political affairs and security processes.”
The Nigerian president also stressed the need for transparency and inclusiveness in AU reforms, urging member states to focus on implementing existing policies rather than attempting sweeping structural changes.
“Nigeria reiterates that instead of seeking to reach consensus on all fronts at once, we should concentrate on areas where there is already agreement. Reforms should be carried out in phases,” he added.
Tinubu reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to supporting AU reforms, provided they align with principles of transparency and stability without unnecessary disruptions.
