Nigeria, 1993

It is a great honour and

privilege, Sir, for me to address this Assembly under your

presidency. Your election is a tribute to you and to your

great country, Guyana. It furthermore attests to the

international community’s confidence in your ability to carry

out the duties of President of the General Assembly during

the next 12 months. I have no doubt that, given your

sterling qualities, you will guide this session to a successful

conclusion.

I also wish to commend your distinguished predecessor,

His Excellency Mr. Stoyan Ganev of the Republic of

Bulgaria, for the able and outstanding manner in which he

conducted the affairs of the forty-seventh session.

I would also like to express my delegation’s

acknowledgement of the dedicated manner in which the

Secretary-General, Mr. Boutros Boutros-Ghali, has been

directing the work of our Organization during this crucial

period.

On behalf of the Government and the people of Nigeria,

I welcome all the new Member States, fully confident of the

useful contribution they can make in furtherance of the noble

objectives of the United Nations.

The relevance of our great Organization to the solution

of the common problems facing humanity is more manifest

today than at any time in our history. The complexity of

these pressing concerns and the need to act rapidly and with

resolve demand a greater degree of concerted efforts by

members of the international community. Events happening

around us demonstrate the urgency of this imperative. In the

last few years, the international landscape has witnessed

unprecedented transformations and rapid changes. The cold

war has become a thing of the past. Progress has been made

in nuclear disarmament. The wave of democratization which

has been sweeping across the world has not diminished in

intensity or breadth. The search for greater prosperity

through emerging regional economic arrangements is

spreading.

In spite of the inherent benefits of all these

developments, no sooner do we succeed in resolving one set

of problems than we are confronted with new and more

challenging ones. Indeed, the promise of global peace and

security and the vision of a new world order are inhibited by

political and ethnic conflicts, economic and social disorder,

and deepening poverty, particularly in developing countries.

In this connection, the consequences of feeble gestures

or inaction are just too frightening to contemplate. It is

therefore necessary to draw attention to the major concerns

so that they can be fully addressed with a view to finding

lasting solutions which are just and beneficial to every

member of the international community.

In view of the positive changes in the international

political environment, the United Nations has been placed at

the centre of conflict resolution, having been accorded its

rightful place in the promotion and maintenance of

international peace and security. Unfortunately, our

Organization is being overwhelmed by the avalanche of

conflicts which it is suddenly called upon to resolve.

Practically all regions of the world are embroiled in one

conflict or another. No region, however, is as afflicted as

Africa, either in the number of conflicts currently raging or

in their unimaginable negative effects on people. In one

conflict alone - that of Angola - as many as 1,000 people are

reported to be dying each day. Angola is not alone in the

unenviable situation created by civil conflict: Sudan,

Somalia and Liberia can be cited.

Regional conflicts constitute a key threat to the

achievement of global peace and security. This is why we

welcome the active and increased involvement of the United

Nations in peace-keeping and peace-building efforts. The

role of our Organization in these areas will continue to

expand as more States call on it for assistance in preventing

or containing conflicts. Member States have the duty to

support fully the work of the Organization in this very

important role. They must be prepared to provide the

Organization with the resources and the personnel it requires

to cope with ever-growing peace-keeping demands. The

price of peace may be high; we must be conscious, however,

that it is a far better bargain compared with the price of war.

In this connection, the recent mammoth and multifaceted

peace-keeping operation in Cambodia gives cause for great

optimism.

The United Nations must direct its peace-keeping

operations in a manner that does not jeopardize its integrity

or expose its peace-keepers to avoidable danger.

Furthermore, it must be made clear to those who commit

acts of aggression against United Nations peace-keepers that

they will be adjudged guilty of crimes against the

international community. The safety of United Nations

peace-keepers is of utmost concern to countries which, like

Nigeria, participate in many operations within and outside

Africa.

I recall that, while on peace-keeping duty in the former

Yugoslavia, Nigerian troops were subjected to attack

resulting in casualties. The same is happening in Somalia,

where Pakistani, Italian, Nigerian, American and Malaysian

peace-keepers have been brutally killed. The national

trauma occasioned by the loss of lives in United Nations

peace-keeping missions gives rise to anxieties and doubts.

However, I wish to assure this body that Nigeria will

continue to demonstrate its commitment to the United

Nations by continued participation in its peace-keeping

operations.

It is in this same spirit of service that Nigeria is seeking

election to the Security Council this year. I hope that

Member States will give their valuable support to Nigeria’s

candidature.

In Africa, we have also made great efforts to contain

and resolve conflicts in our continent. Nigeria has been

involved in many of these efforts to bring peace to embattled

areas. At the bilateral level, we hosted peace conferences of

the parties to the conflict in the Sudan. We have, through

the Organization of African Unity, joined other African

States to monitor the cease-fire in Rwanda. In Liberia,

Nigeria has been the moving force in the regional effort to

bring peace to that war-torn country through the Military

Observer Group (ECOMOG) of the Economic Community

of West African States.

Because of positive developments in Liberia, we have

indicated our intention to withdraw our troops at the

appropriate time. This decision was based on the successful

conclusion and acceptance of the Cotonou Agreement. All

the parties to the conflict and the international community

accept the Cotonou Agreement as the basis for durable peace

in Liberia. If, as we hope, the accord is faithfully

implemented, a democratically elected Government will have

been installed in Liberia within the time-frame envisaged for

the withdrawal of our troops. While we do not, therefore,

contemplate a premature withdrawal, through this forum I

call upon the international community to bear in mind that

Nigeria has expended and continues to expend a significant

amount in the peace-keeping operation in Liberia. Urgent

international support to the ECOMOG effort has become

crucial. Nigeria therefore welcomes Security Council

resolution 866 (1993) of 21 September 1993, which set up

the United Nations Observer Mission in Liberia (UNOMIL)

and called upon Member States to support the peace process

in Liberia by contributing to the Trust Fund being

Forty-eighth session - 7 October l993 3

established by the Secretary-General. Early implementation

will be absolutely necessary to sustain the process.

A cheering development in our continent is taking place

in South Africa, where a democratic Government is now

within sight. The doyen of South African nationalists,

Nelson Mandela, confirmed the irreversibility of the march

towards an apartheid-free society in his statement in this

Hall two weeks ago. As evidence of his conviction, he

called for the lifting of the remaining economic sanctions on

South Africa. I wish, in the name of Nigeria, to congratulate

South African leaders, black and white, who in the past two

years have shown great statesmanship in the negotiations that

have resulted in the establishment by law of the Transitional

Executive Council.

South Africa has come a long way out of its apartheid-

induced isolation. The international community should assist

the South Africans in completing the process of full

integration into the international system. To this end, those

responsible for the mindless violence occurring daily should

be unreservedly condemned. All South Africans should

realize that the watchful eyes of the international community

continue to be focused on their country.

Nigeria will take immediate steps to respond to

Nelson Mandela’s call for economic cooperation with South

Africa. We shall also commence such contacts with the

Transitional Executive Council, when it is physically

established, as will facilitate diplomatic interaction at the

appropriate time.

The road to democracy and the nurturing of democratic

institutions in Africa have not been smooth. Indeed, the

democratic enterprise in Africa faces many problems.

Africa’s economic underdevelopment and high level of

illiteracy constitute major impediments to our attainment of

democracy in its modern concept.

But such has been our fascination with democracy as a

value deeply rooted in our culture that we in Africa have

willingly decided to face up to the challenge of putting in

place an enduring system of democratic governance in our

respective countries. I can say confidently that this is an

enterprise my country has taken seriously. Our programme

of transition from military to civilian rule has not been

without its difficult moments. However, we have not

allowed them to deter us from our cherished goal. We are

determined not to repeat the mistakes of our earlier attempts

to evolve a system that would preserve the corporate unity

of our country. It was, therefore, to ensure that the

democratic process could be completed within the shortest

possible period - indeed, by March 1994 - that the Interim

National Government, which I have the honour and privilege

to lead, was seen as the most viable option to ease the

military out of power without bloodshed.

We in Nigeria fully understand and appreciate the

interest and concern shown by the international community

regarding recent political events in our country. After all,

democratization has become a major component of the

emerging new world order. We therefore appeal for the

understanding of the international community in this difficult

period in our nation’s history. I can assure this Assembly

that we are working very hard to find a just and generally

acceptable solution to our problem. In this connection, I am

happy to state that only yesterday I inaugurated a

high-powered Commission of Eminent Persons to look into

the circumstances leading to the annulment of the 12 June

presidential election and submit a report within 60 days.

Nigeria has always respected the purposes and

principles contained in the United Nations Charter and the

Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Aware that the

human person is the central subject and main beneficiary of

human rights, we fully believe that every citizen should

participate actively, within legal limits, in the realization of

these rights. We welcome the Vienna Declaration on human

rights and will, therefore, continue to be committed to the

freedom of all citizens and institutions that are engaged in

human-rights activities.

One of the sad consequences of human-rights violations

is the incidence of refugees and displaced persons - people

fleeing from insecurity to safe havens, either within or

outside their national territories. Today, several countries,

including Nigeria, cater for the needs of millions of refugees.

We urge the countries of origin of these people to create an

environment conducive to their return. This would help to

reduce the severity of the impact of refugee flows on host

nations, particularly in Africa, which are themselves faced

with excruciating economic difficulties.

Nigeria notes with great satisfaction that the situation in

the Middle East has taken a definite turn for the better. The

4 General Assembly - Forty-eighth session

historic signing of the peace agreement by Israel and the

Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) is a welcome and

important landmark. We are convinced that this will lay the

foundation for peace between Israel and the Palestinians and

will constitute an indispensable element for the peaceful

resolution of the entire Middle East problem. We again

congratulate the Government of Israel and the leadership of

the PLO, whose spirit of conciliation made the agreement a

reality. We also commend the Governments of Norway, the

United States of America and the Russian Federation for

their efforts and their encouragement and support, which

made the peace agreement possible.

The debt crisis remains the most serious obstacle to our

economic development. The various attempts of creditor

countries to address this problem have been limited in scope

and have failed adequately to deal with the debt problem of

middle-income countries. Therefore, while noting with

appreciation the relief provided under the Trinidad, Toronto

and Houston terms, we must emphasize that the fundamental

crisis in the economic development of developing countries

has not been effectively addressed. The fact that the debt of

African countries in 1992 amounted to $275 billion - about

73 per cent of the total output of the African continent -

demonstrates clearly the seriousness of the situation.

Moreover, when it is borne in mind that debt-servicing

obligations are estimated at about 30 per cent of the value of

our exports, the crippling effect on our economies becomes

apparent. We therefore propose a dialogue involving all the

parties to enable the issues to be properly addressed.

The various dimensions of Africa’s economic problems

are worth repeating, as we who are at the receiving end of

the economic dislocation of varying degrees that affects most

African countries realize the necessity of continuing to draw

our economic plight to the attention of the rest of the world.

This matter must not be regarded lightly. The African

economic crisis, as well as being a major source of the

prevailing social and political turmoil in many countries of

the region, must be seen as a serious threat to the longer-

term prospects for the global economy.

Let me be so bold as to say that the persistence of the

crisis is not due to inaction on the part of the African

Governments concerned. On the contrary - taking the

example of my country - the truth is that our determination

to face up to the challenge of development is obvious from

the policy reforms we have been implementing for nearly

seven years in order to restructure and revitalize the

economy. These reforms are already yielding some positive

results, but not of the magnitude that we regard as necessary

if there is to be a significant upturn in the economy.

It would not be far-fetched to suggest that the fact that

the economic reforms that have been put in place have

enjoyed only limited success is apparently due to lack of

adequate support from the international community to

complement our genuine efforts to revamp our respective

economies. For instance, the flow of external finance to

African countries still leaves much to be desired, despite the

efforts made in recent years by countries like mine to ensure

a climate conducive to foreign investment. We therefore

urge a change of heart on the part of our development

partners, as this will be mutually beneficial. We also call on

the United Nations system to mobilize its machinery fully so

that lingering African economic problems may be addressed

effectively.

Today, Africa faces daunting environmental problems

too. Desertification, drought, soil and marine erosion and

shortage of fresh water are new difficulties confronting the

continent. Two fifths of Africa’s land mass has turned into

desert. African countries continue to make efforts to arrest

this threat to our livelihood. However, we do not have

sufficient resources to combat the scourge. We therefore

urge the speedy conclusion of an international convention,

complete with a funding mechanism, to combat drought and

desertification.

In the aftermath of the cold war, appreciable progress

has been made in the field of disarmament. It is comforting

to note that, to a greater extent than during any other period

in recent history, significant efforts have been made by

States to achieve openness and transparency with regard to

security issues. The unilateral decision of the nuclear-

weapon States to halt nuclear testing was universally

applauded. Needless to say, therefore, we were disappointed

at the breach of the moratorium that occurred a few days

ago. We appeal once again to all nuclear-weapon States to

refrain from resuming nuclear testing and, thereby, enhance

the prospects for the non-proliferation Treaty review and

extension Conference in 1995, which will be crucial to

efforts to halt nuclear proliferation.

Since the creation of the United Nations 48 years ago,

the world in which the Organization exists has undergone

many changes. These changes are reflected in its

membership, which, since 1945, has almost quadrupled. The

distribution of power and influence in the world has

changed. The institutions of the United Nations cannot and

should not be immune to the changes. Indeed, in order to

maintain its relevance, the United Nations must reflect the

changes in its environment. We renew our call for a serious

review of some of the institutions of the Organization -

particularly the Security Council. We have always stressed

Forty-eighth session - 7 October l993 5

the need to expand the membership of the Council by the

admission of additional permanent members so that all

regions of the world would be represented. It is our hope

that negotiations on this crucial issue will be advanced

during this session of the General Assembly.

Notwithstanding the several positive developments of

the past few years, the world still faces many challenges. In

addition to the continued disruption of the peace and stability

of many States by raging internal conflicts, there are

problems that require urgent action. The spread of poverty

and the increasing imbalance between the developing and the

developed countries are two of the more spectacular of these

problems. We are convinced that correction of this

unacceptable situation is an attainable objective.

However, the solution requires a commitment by all

States to accept and vigorously practise the concept of

international cooperation. My country remains an active

partner in this cooperative endeavour to make our world

safer and more prosperous.

As we look forward to the celebration, in two years’

time, of the fiftieth anniversary of the birth of the United

Nations, there is in the air much optimism about the future

of the Organization. The new world order, if it is to fulfil

its promise, must be constructed on the solid foundation of

the principles of the Charter of the United Nations. Thus,

our Organization is bound to play a central role in sustaining

a world of the sovereign equality of States; a world of

respect for fundamental human rights; a world of global

interdependence and of cooperation for development.

Let all Member States demonstrate the determination to

ensure that our world body justifies the expectations of

humanity.