The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, has issued a caution against characterizing the recent unconstitutional change of government in West Africa as solely a regional concern.
Tuggar emphasized that the repercussions of the coup have the potential to extend beyond West Africa, impacting the entire African continent and exacerbating existing challenges like terrorism and transnational criminal activities if not promptly addressed.
Addressing participants at the 10th Annual High-level Seminar on the Promotion of Peace and Security in Africa in Oran, Algeria, the minister stressed that dismissing the crisis as a localized issue for West Africa would be shortsighted.
He argued that West Africa cannot be solely blamed for events such as the destabilization of Libya leading to the proliferation of arms, the failure of the European Union’s Sahel strategy, or climate change in the Sahel region.
In a statement released by his media aide, Alkasim Abdulkadir, on Monday, Tuggar cautioned against a simplistic view that accommodating the new military regimes in West Africa would be a viable solution.
He highlighted the potential fatal consequences for the entire continent, particularly in the fight against terrorism across Africa.
The minister urged a more comprehensive approach, emphasizing the need to rejuvenate the African Union’s initiatives.
- Tuggar suggested that supporting the AU’s programs would contribute to addressing the challenges posed by terrorist groups and criminal gangs operating in the border areas of West Africa. He underscored the importance of prioritizing development and infrastructure to counter the impact of military takeovers and maintain stability in the region.
