Tinubu seeks US support over threatened democracies in Africa

• He emphasized reform in American-backed development finance and multilateral institutions to cater to the developmental needs of younger African democracies in the context of authoritarian environments
• The goal is to prevent manipulation of Africans’ aspirations by self-serving demagogues seeking power unconstitutionally
  

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President Bola Tinubu offered advice to Ambassador Molly Phee, the U.S. Presidential Envoy and Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, during their interaction on Saturday. The counsel urged for a purposeful collaborative approach in U.S. policy towards independent African democracies. This advice becomes especially crucial as these democracies face challenges from both internal and external anti-democratic forces.

The President highlighted the necessity for reform within American-supported development finance and multilateral institutions. Originally crafted to aid post-World War II Europe, these institutions now require prompt and comprehensive restructuring to effectively address the developmental needs of younger African democracies. This becomes particularly important in the face of authoritarian-dominant landscapes. The objective is to ensure that the genuine aspirations of Africans no longer fall victim to the manipulation of self-serving demagogues seeking power through unconstitutional means.

A statement from Ajuri Ngelale, the presidential spokesperson, conveyed these sentiments, underlining the urgency for a collaborative and reformed approach to support African democracies facing such challenges.

“Yes, the private sector will lead the way within an enabling environment we create for them, but the U.S. Government must be innovative in its thinking and systematically create incentives for U.S. industrial investment in Nigeria.

“Under my leadership, Nigeria stands ready to address their specific regulatory, tax and environmental concerns. I am determined to create prosperity for all Nigerian families,” the President declared.

The Nigerian leader affirmed that the crisis in Niger Republic would not deter him from concluding his economic reform programme successfully for the benefit of Nigerians and that he takes a cue from no nation, but will only advance the interest of the Nigerian state in his approach toward ECOWAS’ handling of the regional standoff.