The Federal Government has reiterated that Nigeria will not negotiate with terrorists, insisting that the only language such groups understand is defeat.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, disclosed this while speaking with journalists on the sidelines of the 21st Extraordinary Session of the African Union Assembly in Luanda, Angola.
She said the summit was focused on terrorism, violent extremism and conflict prevention, with emphasis on strengthening peace and security across Africa through effective mechanisms and sustainable financing.
According to the minister, Nigeria was using its participation to ensure that its approach to combating terrorism was recognised by other member states.
“This summit, the 21st Extraordinary Session of the African Union Assembly of Heads of State and Government, is essentially about strengthening mechanisms to prevent conflict, to deal with terrorism and to counter violent extremism. It’s a pivotal moment for Nigeria because we are engaged in our own war against terror,” she said.
Ojukwu said Nigeria maintained a firm policy against negotiating with terrorists, stressing that the government was committed to defeating terrorism.
“We do not tolerate unconstitutional changes of government. We have demonstrated that repeatedly, and Nigeria is committed to the African Peace Fund. There is a recapitalisation process to increase this from $405 million to $1 billion. We are committed to regulating and promoting peace across the African continent,” she said.
On Nigeria’s counter-terrorism campaign, she said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remained determined to ensure that terrorist groups were defeated.
“As you can see by our impressive delegation, we are making it very clear.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, ably represented here by Vice-President Kashim Shettima, continues to make this fact abundantly clear. Nigeria’s war against terror is not one this president approaches with kid gloves.
“You cannot negotiate with terrorists. They do not understand negotiation or mediation; you cannot appeal to their reason, compassion or conscience. The only language terrorists understand is the language of defeat, and this is what Nigeria intends to make clear.”
She said Nigeria would also use the summit to push for stronger regional cooperation against terrorism and violent extremism.
The minister further reiterated Nigeria’s opposition to unconstitutional changes of government and its commitment to the recapitalisation of the African Peace Fund from $405 million to $1 billion.
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