Insecurity: Nigeria won’t negotiate with terrorists — FG
By Johnbosco Agbakwuru
The Federal Government has reiterated its stance against negotiating with terrorists, saying the only language terrorists understand is defeat.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, said this while speaking with journalists on the sidelines of the 21st Extraordinary Session of the African Union in Luanda, Angola.
She said the summit aims to address terrorism, violent extremism and conflict prevention in Africa, and to promote peace across the continent through regulation and financial commitment.
Nigeria intends to use its presence at the summit to ensure its anti-terror approach is recognised by other member states.
Ambassador Ojukwu explained that the summit’s primary focus is strengthening mechanisms for conflict prevention and countering terrorism and violent extremism.
Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima represented President Bola Tinubu at the summit and communicated Nigeria’s firm stance on regional security.
“This summit, the 21st Extraordinary Session of the African Union Assembly of Heads of State and Government, is essentially about strengthening mechanisms to prevent conflict, to deal with terrorism and to counter violent extremism. It’s a pivotal moment for Nigeria because we are engaged in our own war against terror,” she said.
The minister said Nigeria maintains a strict policy against negotiating with terrorists, asserting that they respond only to defeat rather than mediation or compassion.
The Nigerian delegation, led by the vice‑president and including key ministers, also highlighted several positions: zero tolerance for unconstitutional changes of government, commitment to the African Peace Fund, and support for recapitalising the fund from $405 million to $1 billion.
“We do not tolerate unconstitutional changes of government. We have demonstrated that repeatedly, and Nigeria is committed to the African Peace Fund. There is a recapitalisation process to increase this from $405 million to $1 billion. We are committed to regulating and promoting peace across the African continent,” she said.
On Nigeria’s counter‑terrorism stance, the foreign affairs minister said the president is committed to defeating terrorism in the country.
“As you can see by our impressive delegation, we are making it very clear. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, ably represented here by Vice‑President Kashim Shettima, continues to make this fact abundantly clear. Nigeria’s war against terror is not one this president approaches with kid gloves.
“You cannot negotiate with terrorists. They do not understand negotiation or mediation; you cannot appeal to their reason, compassion or conscience. The only language terrorists understand is the language of defeat, and this is what Nigeria intends to make clear.”
She added that Nigeria will communicate to other states at the summit that the most effective response to terrorism is military defeat.
On strengthening democracy in Africa, Ambassador Ojukwu reiterated Nigeria’s opposition to unconstitutional changes of government and its support for the African Peace Fund’s recapitalisation.
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