Peace, stability central to Nigeria’s vision in Africa, says Buhari

 

President Muhammadu Buhari says peace and stability are central to the vision of Nigeria in Africa.

 

In a statement, Garba Shehu, presidential spokesperson, said Buhari spoke after receiving a message from President Ibrahim Ghali of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) on Friday.

 

The message was delivered by Mohammed Saleh, a special envoy from the Republic.

 

Buhari added that peace and stability are essential to security and prosperity in the continent.

 

He said Nigeria’s size and resources have imposed a stabilizing role on it and in the West African sub-region and the African continent as a whole.

 

Buhari thanked the Sahrawi Republic president for the message he sent and gave an assurance that he would study its content and brief Bola Tinubu, Nigeria’s president-elect, on their concerns.

 

The president also urged Saleh to make efforts to brief the incoming president as well.

 

Saleh, who is the minister of diplomatic affairs, spoke about the role Buhari, as a head of state in 1983, played as the first African leader to recognise the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic.

 

He said Buhari’s role paved the way for the Republic to be recognised by the African Union.

 

“History will not forget your important role in leading the fight for African freedom using money, arms, and diplomacy in the African Union and the United Nations to secure independence for South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia for, without this, these nations would not have been free,” Saleh said.

 

Saleh expressed hope that the incoming administration will maintain the same interest in the independence struggle.

 

He urged Buhari to continue to maintain relevance in the affairs of the SADR and that of the entire continent.