President Bola Tinubu has emphasized the vital importance of peace, stability, and democracy in driving Africa’s progress and development. Speaking at a dinner hosted by Equatorial Guinea’s President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, Tinubu underscored that without peace, progress is unattainable.
During his visit to Equatorial Guinea, President Tinubu held discussions with President Mbasogo, resulting in agreements on various sectors, including petroleum and security. He urged African nations to take ownership of their challenges, rejecting external influences that fuel conflict and instability.
Tinubu called on African leaders to prioritize peace and stability, stating that “the time is now” for action. He addressed the critical issues of brain drain and talent loss caused by poverty, outdated judicial systems, and tribalism, and advocated for urgent reforms to drive development. Tinubu also appealed to international organizations for increased investment in African research and development, highlighting the need for collective efforts to resolve ongoing conflicts in regions like the Congo and the Sahel.
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In his remarks, Tinubu stated: “We have to work together to make peace the focus of our development in order to really develop. Without peace, you cannot develop. Our problem is not that we don’t know what to do; we identify them, we understand what to do. Our problem is how and when we should do them, and I say the time is now.”
He continued, “Tribalism has no place in Africa. We have to take the continent and take it strongly. We must help one another, develop our resources for our progress, and find solutions among ourselves.”
President Tinubu also called for stronger African solidarity, stressing the importance of addressing conflicts in regions such as the Congo Republic and the Sahel. He reaffirmed the need to promote peace, stability, and democracy as the foundation for Africa’s future development.
In his response, President Mbasogo expressed gratitude for Tinubu’s visit, praising the strong relations between Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea. He emphasized the importance of regional and international cooperation to address challenges such as maritime crime, security threats, and economic diversification. Mbasogo also called for greater African representation on the global stage, particularly in the UN Security Council.
He concluded by expressing confidence that the new spirit of cooperation between their nations will deepen ties and promote mutual benefits for their people.
