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Gambari Calls for Reform of UN Security Council to Meet Today’s Economic Demographic, Political Realities
Gambari Calls for Reform of UN Security Council to Meet Today’s Economic Demographic, Political Realities
By: Michael Mike
The call for the reform of the United Nations Security Council was once again on the front burner of discussions in the context of preventing genocide as witnessed against the Tutsi in Rwanda.
Speaking at the 30th anniversary of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi, held at Covenant University, Ota Ogun State at the weekend, the former Under-Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Department of Political Affairs, UN Headquarters New York, Prof Ibrahim Gambari called on the UN to reform not only in terms of the use or misuse of veto power but in the expansion of its membership in both permanent and non-permanent categories.
Gambari, who was a former Nigeria’s Minister of External Affairs (now Foreign Affairs) and at a time the Chief of Staff to former President Muhammadu Buhari,
emphasized in his keynote speech at the commemorative public lecture organised by the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) Nigeria, Rwandan High Commission in Nigeria and Covenant University, that the membership of the UN Security Council should be reformed and democratized to reflect today’s economic demographic and political realities, and Africa should be fully represented and taken into consideration.
He said: “The genocide in Rwanda had the additional and perhaps unintended consequence of reawakening governments in Africa to an appreciation of their own Responsibility to Protect regarding civilian populations beyond their territorial borders.”
He added that: “Rwanda taught Africans not to rely purely on the goodwill of the larger international community to police and resolve conflicts on their continent. The need for Pax Africana, for Africa to develop its own resources and mechanisms to initiate effective and robust engagements to resolve the problems of the continent, was becoming increasingly apparent.”
On his part, the UN Secretary-General António Guterres, in his statement to the gathering, urged everyone to shun hatred and discrimination and stand as one. He said: “On this solemn day of remembrance, let’s pledge to stand as one against all forms of hatred and discrimination. Let’s ensure that the acts that began on April 7 1994, are never forgotten — and never repeated anywhere.”
Guterres, whose statement was read by the UNIC National Information Officer, Oluseyi Soremekun, assured that “We will never forget the victims of this genocide. Nor will we ever forget the bravery and resilience of those who survived, whose courage and willingness to forgive remain a burst of light and hope amidst this dark chapter in human history.”
The Rwandan High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ambassador Christophe Bazivamo noted that: “The path to lasting peace demands constant vigilance. As we renew, we restate our unbreakable pledge to fight intolerance, discrimination, ethnic hatred, hate speech, genocide revisionism, and denial in all their forms.”
He said on this occasion of Kwibuka 30, “Let’s together ensure that the memory of the victims becomes a powerful force for good, inspiring future generations to choose peace over hate, unity over division, and hope over despair.”
According to him, this could be achieved in different ways including putting course lessons about the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in schools to educate the young and the next generation on the need to fight hate ideologies and stand against any form of discrimination and divisionism.
He charged everyone to work together to build a world where such atrocities never happen again. “Let us renew our commitment to the values of tolerance, compassion, human dignity in our transformative journey, continuously building a better future for all.”
The Vice Chancellor of Covenant University, Prof Abiodun Adebayo acknowledged that in all the conflicts leading to devastating loss of civilian life, massive displacement, capital flights, destruction of infrastructure and economic institutions, violations of human rights and international humanitarian law, the United Nations has always played a pivotal role in maintaining international peace and security, protect human rights, deliver humanitarian aid, promote sustainable development, and uphold international law.
He said: “Today’s reflection is critical because those who do not remember the past or mind history are predestined to repeat history. We remember, therefore, the heinous crime of inhumane treatment meted out not only to the Tutsi but the entire humanity that took place in Rwanda in 1994.”
The Chancellor of the university, Bishop David Oyedepo charged African leaders to be sensitive to injustice to ensure peace and stability of the region. He spoke on ‘It’s time to awake and take responsibility.’
Gambari Calls for Reform of UN Security Council to Meet Today’s Economic Demographic, Political Realities
News
ECOWAS Leaders Warn Democracy Must Deliver and Peace Must Be Built as West Africa Faces Rising Instability
ECOWAS Leaders Warn Democracy Must Deliver and Peace Must Be Built as West Africa Faces Rising Instability
By: Michael Mike
West African leaders have issued a joint warning that democracy in the region is under growing strain and must begin to produce visible results for citizens, while also stressing that peace cannot be imposed but must be deliberately built through dialogue and cooperation.
The concerns were raised at the opening of the 2026 First Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Parliament held on Monday in Abuja, where regional lawmakers gathered amid rising insecurity, democratic reversals, and increasing public dissatisfaction across parts of West Africa.
Speaker of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, warned that the survival of democratic governance in the sub-region now depends on its ability to deliver tangible outcomes in security, economic stability, and public welfare.
He said while citizens across West Africa continue to reject military rule, their patience with democratic systems is weakening due to poor governance outcomes and rising socio-economic hardship.
Abbas noted that declining voter trust, weak institutions, and recurring unconstitutional changes of government reflect deeper structural problems that democratic systems must urgently address.
“The issue is not whether democracy remains the preferred system, but whether it is delivering sufficiently to sustain that preference,” he said, warning that governance failures could further expand the space for instability.
The Nigerian Speaker also pushed for a stronger and more empowered ECOWAS Parliament, arguing that its current advisory status limits its ability to respond effectively to regional crises.
He renewed calls for reforms including enhanced legislative authority, stronger oversight powers, and improved enforcement mechanisms for regional agreements.
According to him, previous proposals to strengthen the Parliament have yet to be fully implemented, but the present instability across the region makes such reforms more urgent.
“A Parliament with limited influence cannot adequately respond to democratic reversals, security pressures, and economic uncertainty,” Abbas said.
Abbas also defended Nigeria’s recent economic reforms, including fuel subsidy removal and exchange rate unification, describing them as difficult but necessary decisions taken within a democratic framework.
He said early results show increased fiscal inflows to subnational governments and improved capacity for infrastructure and social investment, while acknowledging that challenges persist.
He argued that Nigeria’s experience demonstrates that even tough reforms can be implemented without resorting to military intervention, warning against a growing tendency toward unconstitutional power shifts in parts of the region.
In a separate address, the Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Hadja Mémounatou Ibrahima, stressed that peace in West Africa cannot be declared or imposed by authority, but must be carefully built over time.
She said the region is facing a period of heightened geopolitical uncertainty, adding that “no region is immune” to the global spread of instability and conflict.
“The message must be clear: peace cannot be decreed — it must be patiently built through dialogue, cooperation, and mutual respect,” she said, urging member states to deepen collaboration in addressing shared challenges.
Ibrahima also highlighted ongoing reforms within the regional bloc, noting that ECOWAS is undergoing a strategic reassessment of its future direction.
She announced that the upcoming ECOWAS Future Summit scheduled for 21 May in Lomé, Togo, will focus on accelerating the implementation of ECOWAS Vision 2050.
The summit is expected to explore how regional integration can be strengthened and adapted to emerging political, economic, and security realities across West Africa.
Both leaders, though speaking separately, converged on a central message: that West Africa is at a critical turning point where democratic legitimacy must be reinforced by effective governance, and peace must be actively constructed through cooperation rather than assumed.
They warned that without stronger institutions, improved governance delivery, and deeper regional collaboration, the region risks further democratic setbacks and prolonged instability.
The session continues as ECOWAS lawmakers deliberate on strategies to strengthen democratic resilience and regional integration amid mounting challenges across West Africa.
ECOWAS Leaders Warn Democracy Must Deliver and Peace Must Be Built as West Africa Faces Rising Instability
Troops Arrest Suspected Terrorist Informant in Borno
By Zagazola Makama
Troops of the Nigerian Army have arrested a suspected informant linked to ISWAP/JAS terrorist groups in Ngamdu, Kaga Local Government Area of Borno State.
Security sources said the suspect was apprehended at about 6:00 p.m. on May 3 by troops of 154 Battalion at Ngamdu market following sustained surveillance.
The sources disclosed that the suspect had been on a security watchlist prior to his arrest.
According to the sources, items recovered from him include a mobile phone, the sum of ₦1,150, and other sundry materials.
They added that the suspect is currently in military custody and undergoing interrogation.
The sources noted that further investigations are ongoing to establish his role and possible links within terrorist networks operating in the area.
Troops Arrest Suspected Terrorist Informant in Borno
Troops Conduct Offensive Operation in Gwoza, Destroy Suspected Terrorist Structures
By Zagazola Makama
Troops of the Nigerian Army have conducted an offensive operation in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State, targeting suspected terrorist hideouts and support structures.
Security sources said the operation was carried out at about 9:20 a.m. on May 1 by troops of 153 Task Force Battalion, operating alongside volunteer forces and hybrid troops deployed at Kirawa.
The sources disclosed that the joint team advanced to Gakara high ground and Ndova village during the operation.
According to the sources, no direct contact was made with terrorist elements during the mission.
They added, however, that troops destroyed several suspected terrorist logistics and life-support structures identified within the general area.
The sources noted that the operation is part of ongoing clearance efforts aimed at denying insurgents freedom of movement and operational bases within the Gwoza axis.
Troops Conduct Offensive Operation in Gwoza, Destroy Suspected Terrorist Structures
Nigeria Moves to Transform Career Guidance System as Ministries, UNESCO, GIZ Push New National Policy Framework
ECOWAS Leaders Warn Democracy Must Deliver and Peace Must Be Built as West Africa Faces Rising Instability
Troops Arrest Suspected Terrorist Informant in Borno
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