Insecurity Tops Agenda As Buhari Engages Macron At African Finance Summit In France

President Muhammadu Buhari is set to discuss measures at tackling Nigeria’s prevailing insecurity with the French President, Emmanuel Macron.

Mr Buhari, who will on Sunday, May 16, 2021, depart Abuja for Paris, France, on a four-day official visit to attend African Finance Summit, will on the sidelines meet with the French President to discuss growing security threats in Sahel and Lake Chad region, political relations and economic ties.

Other issues expected to be discussed by the two leaders include climate change and partnership in buoying the health sector, particularly in checking spread of Covid-19 with more research and vaccines.

A statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu on Saturday, noted that the summit will among other issues focus on reviewing African economy, following shocks from Coronavirus pandemic, and getting relief, especially from increased debt burden on countries.

The Summit, to be hosted by President Emmanuel Macron, will draw major stakeholders in the global finance institutions and some heads of Government, who will, collectively, discuss external funding and debt treatment for Africa, and private sector reforms.

Before returning to Nigeria, President Buhari will receive some key players in the oil and gas sector, engineering and telecommunications, European Council and European Union Representative for Foreign and Security Policy and Commission, and members of the Nigerian community.

The President will be accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed, Minister of Trade and Investment, Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo, and Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire.

Also on the trip are: National Security Adviser, Maj. Gen. Babagana Mohammed Monguno (rtd) and Director General of National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Amb. Ahmed Rufai Abubakar.

Apart from the Nigerian President, other African leaders expected in Paris include Cote d’ Ivoire’s Alassane Ouattara, Senegal’s Macky Sall, the DRC’s Felix Tshisekedi, Rwanda’s Paul Kagame, South Africa’s Cyril Ramaphosa, Angola’s Joao Lourenco, Kenyan’s Uhuru Kenyatta, Guinea’s Alpha Conde and Congo Brazzaville’s Denis Sassou Nguesso.

There are also indications that during the high level meeting with Emmanuel Macron, President Buhari will table the recent political unrest in Chad, especially the death of Idriss Derby and implications for security in Africa, Nigeria inclusive.

France is believed to be a strong force in the Sahel and Lake Chad regions.