Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting peace, security and regional cooperation in Africa, while pledging to participate in the forthcoming United Nations Security Council High-Level Open Debate on Peace, Security, Stability and Development at the invitation of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
The assurance was given by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, during a meeting with the Special Envoy of DRC President Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja.
The Congolese envoy, accompanied by the country’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Mrs. Pascaline Gerengbo Yakivu, delivered a special message from President Tshisekedi to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and formally invited Nigeria to the high-level debate scheduled for July 22, 2026, in New York.
According to the envoy, the meeting will provide African countries with an opportunity to present common positions on peace, security, stability and sustainable development while reinforcing the continent’s leadership in addressing its own challenges.
He stressed that Nigeria’s participation is particularly important given its longstanding leadership role in Africa.
Ambassador Enikanolaiye conveyed President Tinubu’s goodwill to President Tshisekedi and congratulated the DRC on its election as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council.
He expressed confidence that the Central African nation would use its position to advance issues of strategic importance to Africa.
The minister described the planned debate as timely, noting that sustainable development cannot be achieved without peace and stability.
He reaffirmed Nigeria’s unwavering support for African-led initiatives aimed at resolving conflicts and promoting lasting peace across the continent.
Enikanolaiye also extended Nigeria’s sympathy to the government and people of the DRC over the ongoing Ebola outbreak in parts of the country.
While commending the Congolese authorities for measures taken to contain the disease, he disclosed that Nigeria had activated preparedness mechanisms, including the establishment of a Presidential Task Force on Ebola Virus Disease, to strengthen its prevention and emergency response systems.
The minister confirmed that Nigeria would participate actively in the Security Council debate, adding that the country’s level of representation would be determined after the necessary consultations.
He also requested the concept note and other background documents for the meeting to enable Nigeria prepare effectively.
The discussions further covered bilateral issues, including outstanding consular and government property matters involving Nigeria in the DRC.
