Excellency President Robert Mugabe, Chairman of the
Union, Excellency President Jacob Zuma,
our Host,
Excellencies fellow Presidents and Heads of Government
Excellency Mr. Jan Eliasson, Deputy Secretary-General
of the United Nations,
Excellency Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, Chairperson of
the AU Commission, Excellencies, Heads of Delegation,
Invited Guests, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen
Please permit me to join previous speakers in conveying
my delegation’s appreciation to our host, H.E. President
Jacob Zuma, to his Government, and the brotherly
people of South Africa for their warm hospitality, and
for the excellent arrangements made for our comfort
and for the success of our meetings. As this is my first
address at this august assembly, may I also
congratulate H.E. Dr. Robert Gabriel Mugabe, President
of the Republic of Zimbabwe, for his unanimous election
as the Chairman of our Union.
President Muhammadu Buhari delivers his address at
the 25th AU summit in Johannesburg South Africa, June
14th 2015
President Muhammadu Buhari delivers his address at
the 25th AU summit in Johannesburg South Africa, June
14th 2015
2. I feel highly honoured and extremely pleased to be
able to address you today, barely two weeks after my
inauguration as the President of Nigeria, following the
2015 Presidential election in my country. That process,
which was adjudged as the fairest and most credible in
the history of elections in Nigeria, was midwifed by the
dogged and sustained determination of the Nigerian
people, and their desire to deepen our democracy. Their
quest was amply supported, and even encouraged by
the goodwill of our friends and partners in the
international community. I therefore wish to seize this
opportunity to convey my very deep appreciation to all
those who contributed to the success of that election.
3. My election has been described as historic. I agree
that it is indeed historic because for the first time in the
practice of democracy in my country, an opposition
Party has defeated the ruling Party in a keenly
contested election. The election was also held against
the backdrop of the fears and concerns expressed both
in Nigeria and among our international friends abroad
and partners that the outcome of the election could
spell doom for Nigeria. I am glad that even though
those fears and concerns were not without basis, the
outcome was totally different, to the relief of all of us.
4. I cannot fail to acknowledge the very positive role
played by my predecessor, H.E. President Goodluck
Ebele Jonathan, in averting the feared crisis, and in
facilitating the peaceful transition of power between the
two parties. I also wish to express my deep
appreciation to all who honoured us with their presence
at my inauguration, and even those, who for
unavoidable reasons were unable to attend. I thank you
all.
Mr. Chairman,
5. It is gratifying to note that our Union has made
laudable progress over the past one and a half decades
since its transformation from the Organization of
African Unity (OAU) to the African Union (AU). Notably,
we have been able to redirect our priorities at the
continental level from mainly political goals to more
diverse aspirations that are equally fundamental to our
survival and development in a global community.
6. It is however clear, Mr. Chairman, that some of the
greater challenges to our peoples within this Union still
lie in the political, economic, as well as peace and
security spheres. Our continent is currently bedevilled
by the twin evils of terrorism and insecurity; poverty,
youth unemployment, and underdevelopment. The
destructive effects of the inhuman and criminal
campaigns of the Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria
and neighbouring countries; the Al-Shabab attacks in
East Africa, and the activities of the Al-Qaida in the
Maghreb, all bear testimony to a continent under siege.
Mr Chairman, Excellencies and Colleagues
7. On our part, I was convinced on my assumption of
office that the best approach would be to work within
the framework of the Lake Chad Basin Commission
(LCBC) to mobilse collective support to fight against
Boko Haram. I have in this regard, directed the
relocation of Nigeria’s Command Centre to place it
closer to the theatre of action. Furthermore, I have
vigorously engaged the members states of the LCBC to
better coordinate the strategies and tactics in fighting
the insurgency in the region. I believe that this
approach can be enhanced through complimentary
regional and continental efforts.
8. The images in the international mass media of
African youths getting drowned in the Mediterranean
sea on their illegal attempts, and often times illusory
hope of attaining better life in Europe is not only an
embarrassment to us as leaders, but dehumanises our
persons. Indeed, they combine to paint a very
unfavourable picture of our peoples and countries.
9. Those of us gathered here today owe it as a duty to
reverse this ugly trend. We must put an end to the so-
called push factors that compel our young men and
women to throw caution to the winds and risk life,
limbs and all, on this dangerous adventure. We must
redouble our efforts to sustain the economic
development of our countries, ensure empowerment of
our youths, create more jobs, improve and upgrade our
infrastructure, and above all continue the enthronement
of a regime of democracy, good governance and respect
for human rights and rule of law. These and other
measures that engender peace and stability must be
pursued relentlessly.
10. In this connection, we must persist in our collective
endeavour to work together through the African Union
and our respective Regional Economic Communities
(RECs), to uplift our continent and provide the African
peoples the enabling environment for the realization of
their legitimate dreams and aspirations. At this juncture,
let me assure you of the unflinching commitment of
Nigeria to the ideals and aspirations of the African
Union as explained in the Agenda 2063, which is geared
towards ensuring a peaceful, prosperous and integrated
Africa in the next 50 years. It is for this reason that
Nigeria is fully and irrevocably committed to the
ECOWAS vision.
11. We do so because we believe that African
integration is best attained through the instrumentality
of our Regional Economic Communities (RECs) as the
building blocs of viable continental institutions. Nigeria
will therefore continue to play her part in supporting the
African Union Commission and other continental and
regional institutions in their efforts to prioritize African
development in all sectors of human endeavour.
12. The journey might look arduous, but certainly not
impossible. There are opportunities in every challenge.
If and when we adopt this call for a change of attitude,
approach, and disposition towards agreed protocols and
commitments, we shall be bequeathing a politically
stable, economically developed, and socially harmonious
Africa, thereby justifying the confidence reposed in us
by our electorates. We will also demonstrate our
qualities as statesmen and true daughters and sons of
Africa.
13. I thank you for your kind attention.
