- Tinubu Tasks U.S Special Envoy on deepening Cooperation and Defence of Democracy in west Africa
During a meeting with U.S. Presidential Envoy and Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Ambassador Molly Phee, President Bola Tinubu emphasized the importance of collaborative U.S. policy towards independent African democracies.
He highlighted that these democracies face challenges from anti-democratic forces within and outside the continent.
The President also discussed the need for reform in American-backed development finance and multilateral institutions, originally established to support war-torn Europe after World War II.
He stressed that these institutions must adapt quickly to meet the developmental needs of younger democracies in Africa, especially those operating in authoritarian environments. This would ensure that self-seeking demagogues do not manipulate the legitimate aspirations of Africans through unconstitutional means of taking power.
“Yes, the private sector will lead the way within an enabling environment we create for them, but the U.S. Government must be innovative in its thinking and systematically create incentives for U.S. industrial investment in Nigeria. Under my leadership, Nigeria stands ready to address their specific regulatory, tax and environmental concerns. I am determined to create prosperity for all Nigerian families,” the President declared.
The Nigerian leader stated that despite the crisis in Niger Republic, he remains committed to successfully completing his economic reform program for the benefit of Nigerians. He emphasized that he would prioritize the interest of the Nigerian state in his approach towards ECOWAS‘ management of the regional standoff without taking cues from any other nation.
“We are deep in our attempts to peacefully settle the issue in Niger by leveraging on our diplomatic tools. I continue to hold ECOWAS back, despite its readiness for all options, in order to exhaust all other remedial mechanisms. War is not ideal for my economic reforms, nor for the region, but the defense of democracy is sacrosanct. The ECOWAS consensus is that we will not allow anyone to insincerely buy time,” the ECOWAS Chairman affirmed.
The U.S. Special Presidential Envoy expressed support for ECOWAS’ stance and praised President Bola Tinubu’s leadership as Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government. The U.S. Administration highly regards Tinubu and has extended a personal invitation from President Joe Biden to meet in New York City during the United Nations General Assembly in late September to continue discussions.
“We know there is more we can do to incentivize large-scale American investment in Nigeria and we are committed to working closely with you to achieve that, as part of efforts to strengthen the Nigerian economy and the regional economy. We appreciate your willingness to create an enabling environment for that. President Joe Biden is asking to meet with you on the sidelines of UNGA and you are the only African leader he has requested to meet. It is a mark of his high regard for your leadership,” the U.S. Special Envoy said.
The President has accepted the invitation to meet with the U.S. President during the UN General Assembly. He believes that the work of perfecting democracy is ongoing, even in developed democracies like America and other emerging democracies around the world.
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