PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has urged the international community and the United Nations (UN) to support both financially and technically the efforts of African nations in conflict preventive strategies.

Jonathan yesterday continued his five-day visit to New York as part of the activities marking the 66th UN General Assembly, meeting with several world leaders.

Accompanied by the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, President Jonathan attended the reception hosted by United States (U.S.) President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, for world leaders attending the 66th UN General Assembly at the New York Public Library.

He also hosted talks with President Jacob Zuma of South Africa with President Jonathan saying that the African Union (AU) must help the National Transitional Council (NTC) in Libya to end the conflict and establish good governance in the country.

“The AU must play its role to help the NTC end the conflict and establish good governance in Libya”, he stated.

The two leaders also discussed steps needed to further strengthen the Nigeria–South Africa Bi-National Commission.

While addressing the UN Security Council yesterday, Jonathan said that Nigeria viewed conflict prevention as a subject of critical importance to humanity.

He noted: “Indeed, Nigeria has invested resources to support the campaign for Preventive Diplomacy especially within our sub-region. We have adopted the use of Preventive Diplomacy in addressing complex questions arising from armed conflicts.”

He added: “In real terms, Preventive Diplomacy is often most effective when conducted behind the scenes, certainly well before tensions rise to boiling point. We believe we can foster the growth of conflict prevention at both normative and practical levels; we can standardize our approach to political and peacekeeping missions to reflect the strategic importance of Preventive Diplomacy.”

Jonathan meanwhile commended the UN Secretary General and the report, which made a persuasive case for preventive diplomacy and for establishing a “steering committee to consider measures for enhancing cooperation across the network of preventive diplomacy actors.”

He told the Council: “If indeed our primary responsibility in this Council is to maintain international peace and security, the work of this Council in managing international peace and security should be viewed through the lens of Preventive Diplomacy. If we are able to assist nations and communities in restoring their social and institutional fabric; if we can also apply ourselves to the ongoing task of providing opportunities for people in their livelihood, we can go a long way in reducing opportunities for conflicts; we can directly and indirectly prevent conflicts.”

The president pointed out that in July 2010 Nigeria was motivated by the fact that the nature of conflict was out-pacing the ability to respond effectively to it and convened a debate on Preventive Diplomacy.

He observed how “for so long, the international community has accorded little attention to mediation and Preventive Diplomacy” and looked more in the direction of military dimensions of peace and security, without addressing causes of conflicts.

During an audience he granted to President Alassane Ouattarra of Cote d’Ivoire, President Jonathan assured that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) would take definite steps to support efforts to curb the activities of mercenaries and other threats to the restoration of peace in that country.

He said this would ensure peace along that country’s border with Liberia and provide necessary peace and the appropriate environment for Liberia’s general elections, scheduled for next month.

Jonathan, who is the current chairman of the sub-regional body, acknowledged the various economic challenges confronting members, but said a peaceful atmosphere was necessary for the conduct of successful elections in Liberia.

Earlier, Dr. Ouattarra had requested the urgent intervention of ECOWAS to facilitate the emplacement of forces along the Cote d’Ivoire border, prior to and after the Liberian elections to ensure smooth, free and fair elections in that country.

He added that assistance from the UN and other donors would be required.

The Nigerian leader also granted audience to President Pal Schmitt of the Republic of Hungary, who said his country’s improving economy would facilitate a restoration of the previously vibrant trade relations between the two nations, adding that there were several areas of mutual co-operation to be explored.

Schmitt said Hungary had co-operated with Nigeria in education, and looked forward to more areas of collaboration.

Jonathan thanked the Hungarian President for supporting Nigeria’s developmental efforts and assured him of more co-operation in future.

President Jonathan also received President Isaias Afewerki of the State of Eritrea, and attended the launch of the Initiative Group on Education for Democracy with Presidents Tasakhia Elbegdorj and Tarja Hallonen of Mongolia and Finland in that order.

-Guardian

Posted by admin on Sep 23 2011. Filed under Latest Politics, United Nations. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry