Nigeria, alongside Burundi, Algeria, Lesotho and Kenya, has been elected into the African Union Peace and Security Council (AU-PSC).

They were elected for a term of three years lasting between 2019 and 2021, with Nigeria and Kenya re-elected into the AU PSC.

The spokesperson, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, George Ehidiamen Edokpa, disclosed the re-election of Nigeria in a statement made available to our correspondent.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to inform the public that the Federal Republic of Nigeria has been re-elected into the African Union Peace and Security Council (AU-PSC) for a new three-year term. Alongside Nigeria, four other countries: Burundi, Algeria, Kenya and Lesotho were also elected, reflecting the five regions of the continent.

“The election was held on February 8, 2018, during the ongoing 34th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of the African Union in Addis Ababa where seven countries keenly contested for the available five vacancies,” Edokpa said.

Edokpa further stated that the Nigerian Ambassador to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the AU, Bankole Adeoye, said Nigeria had sustained the membership of the AU-PSC since its inception in 2004, following the decision of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government to dedicate a seat of three-year term to Nigeria at every PSC election in recognition of Nigeria’s contribution to the maintenance of peace and security in Africa and beyond.

“It is pertinent to note that the PSC is a standing decision-making organ of the African Union charged with responsibilities of conducting early-warning and preventive diplomacy, facilitating peace-making, establishing peace-support operations, and, in certain circumstances, recommending intervention in member states to promote peace, security and stability.

“The PSC also ensures the implementation of key conventions and instruments to combat international terrorism, promote coordination between regional mechanisms and the AU with respect to peace, security and stability in Africa.

“The PSC’s role through Nigeria’s guidance in the Lake Chad Basin region has been remarkable, particularly in the endorsement of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF). Nigeria has also supported the AU PSC engagements in the security situation in the ECOWAS region, Sahel and beyond.

“Therefore, following the successful re-election, Nigeria’s objective in the African Union Peace and Security Council will be guided by its renewed commitment towards proving the needed support in the ongoing implementation of the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA) and the African Governance Architecture (AGA) in-line with the AU Agenda 2063 and the SDGs 2030 goals,” Edokpa further said.

Edokpa also said as Africa continues to respond to old and emerging conflicts on the continent, Nigeria would continue to collaborate with other member states to improve on the gains made in proffering African solutions to African problems, as regards the overall objective of African ownership and leadership to durable peace on the continent.