How Nigeria can win UN permanent security seat – Gambari

The UN Special Envoy to Darfur, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, has said it would be difficult for Nigeria to get a permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council unless issues of the country’s corporate existence were resolved.

Gambari, who spoke in Abuja against the backdrop of the violence, inter-religious and inter-communal clashes in the country, also said there was need for the government to work on the country’s economic development for the UN Security Council permanent seat to be realisable.

According to him, unity, peace and prosperity will enable Nigeria to continue to command the respect of the international community and make its aspiration for a UN permanent security seat achievable.

He said the nation’s bid should be, among other factors, based on non-representation of Africa, which is the only continent without a permanent seat in the Council.

“You cannot have a seat when all issues about the corporate existence of the country is not resolved. Also economic power is beginning to determine status; why are people talking about South Africa, Brazil, India, Germany and Japan; it is not only about the size of the country but the wealth, the cohesion and the stature. So these are important areas we need to bear in mind,” Gambari said.

He, however, noted that Nigeria had a good case in her bid for the seat, saying “speaking as a Nigerian, my recommendation is for us to continue to demonstrate those qualities, to give us a comparative advantage over other nations on the continent.”

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