By Tunde Johnson, Abuja
President Muhammadu Buhari has urged African leaders to speak “with one voice” independent of foreign influence, to achieve economic integration, development, peace, and security on the continent.
In a statement made available to ELENDU REPORTS ONLINE on Saturday, Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, said the President spoke at a bilateral meeting with President Alpha Conde of Guinea on Friday night in Istanbul, Turkey.
The statement reads in part: “Leaders should learn from history to effectively tackle conflicts, violent extremism, and proliferation of small arms and light weapons.
“We need to address the current security challenges in restive areas such as South Sudan and Libya, and the political crisis in Togo.”
Buhari assured his Guinean counterpart, who is also the current Chairman of AU that Nigeria would continue to strengthen its engagement with all AU member states to address current security challenges in restive areas such as South Sudan and Libya, and the political crisis in Togo.
Conde, in his remarks lauded Nigeria’s leadership on the continent, particularly President Buhari’s great job on anti-corruption and his strong voice on African issues at the international stage.
He reiterated the need for Guinea and Nigeria to accelerate economic cooperation, particularly in the natural resources sector.
The Guinean leader averred that his country boasts of 25 percent or more of the world’s known bauxite reserves.
The two Presidents met on the margins of the ninth D8 Summit in Istanbul and exchanged views on bilateral relations as well as regional and international issues of mutual interest.
