Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday requested the United States to consider relocating the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) from Germany to Africa to better support the fight against rising insecurity, reported CGTN Africa. He said the relocation would strengthen ongoing efforts to check the security situation in the continent.
President Buhari made the appeal in a virtual meeting with the U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken on Tuesday, a statement from the presidency said.
“Considering the growing security challenges in West and Central Africa, Gulf of Guinea, Lake Chad region and the Sahel, weighing heavily on Africa, it underscores the need for the United States to consider relocating AFRICOM Headquarters from Stuttgart, Germany to Africa and near the theatre of operation,” the Nigerian president said.
The regions mentioned by the Nigerian president have long been marred by security threats including rebels, armed bandits, extremists, and kidnappers.
Buhari said the support of important and strategic partners cannot be overstated as the consequences of insecurity will affect all nations. He said it is vital for all nations to cooperate and collaborate with each other to overcome the challenges.
The Nigerian president said his government aims to enhance collaborations in all forms, with friendly nations and strategic partners, to work together for greater security for all.
As per the statement released by the Nigerian presidency, Blinken said he was pleased to make Nigeria part of his first virtual visit to Africa, noting that the two countries share a lot in bilateral issues.
He said areas of discussion with Nigeria would include ways to build our economies back after the COVID-19 pandemic, security for vulnerable communities, and climate issues.
Blinken is also set to virtually meet with Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta to deepen strategic partnership and further shared values of democracy, human rights security, sustainable development, & economic prosperity in the region.
