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Aidoghie Paulinus, Who Was In Addis Ababa
Nigeria, amongst a group of African countries, has been invited to be part of the China-Africa Peace and Security Initiative.
This is even as the Nigerian Government solicited for China’s assistance in the fight against insurgency and other security challenges in the country.
The dialogue which is about the implementation of the China-Africa Peace and Security initiative, is under the framework of the Forum on China Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).
The invitation, according to the Acting Director, African Union Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr Chimezie Ogu, was as a result of Nigeria’s strategic position as a leader on the African continent, as well as its ranking and acceptance as a genuine partner in the China-Africa Cooperation.
The China-Africa Peace and Security Dialogue held on 6th February, 2019, at the Hilton Hotel, Addis Ababa.
The dialogue was a prelude to the 32nd Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union Summit.
“The Chinese authorities invited over 20 African countries in which Nigeria was strategically positioned to play a leading role in the dialogue as a leader on the continent and equally to lead the process during the dialogue.
“The Nigerian Ambassador to Ethiopia, Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, led the Nigerian delegation with other team of officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abuja.
“The Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister, Chen Xiaodong, who chaired the meeting alongside his African co-chair, the Foreign Minister of Senegal, Sidiki Kaba, deliberated on African Peace and Security Situation, as well as China’s efforts to safeguard regional peace and security on the continent,” Ogu said.
Ogu also said the initiative deliberated on modalities in which China can execute the China-African Peace Fund, as well as expand and deepen cooperation on peace and security on the continent.
Ogu added that the Nigerian delegation expressed appreciation for the invitation extended to Nigeria on the Peace and Security Dialogue and commended the excellent bilateral relations between Nigeria and China, as well as the cordial multilateral engagement under the auspices of FOCAC.
“The delegation further appreciate the Chinese Government’s assistance in the provision of critical infrastructure in Nigeria within the mechanism of our bilateral relations.
“The delegation also commended the training assistance extended to the Nigeria Police by the Chinese authorities; and canvassed for mutual exchange of programme on training of security personnel between Nigeria’s National Defence College and their counterpart in China.
“The delegation solicited for Chinese Government’s assistance in the provision of military hardware to prosecute the fight against insurgency and other security challenges,” Ogu added.
He said the Nigerian delegation expressed the desire to further the dialogue between both countries to address some irritants and challenges militating against the mutual advancement of both countries’ multilateral and bilateral cooperation through the platform of political consultation by both foreign ministries or senior official meetings.
