Nigeria’s
President, Muhammadu Buhari, in his address at the 72nd Session of the
United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, United States of
America, on September 9, drew the attention of the world to the North
Korean nuclear crisis which he aptly described as a matter of “grave
concern.” By saying that “the most pressing threat to international
peace and security today is the accelerated nuclear weapons development
programme by North Korea,” Buhari captured the feelings and, of course,
the position of the most critical sectors of the world community.
The last UNGA really provided an
absolutely perfect opportunity for the world to tackle itself by way of
identifying and effectively addressing all issues and situations that
clearly seek to cause unimaginable damage to humanity. In all aspects,
the North Korean issue or more precisely, the growing quarrel between
North Korea and the rest of the world represents the most depressing
challenges to all countries.
It is in recognition of this fact that
even those countries like China which had been known to be natural
allies of North Korea have, in the present circumstances, taken
practical steps to deal with the situation. The issuance, by Chinese
government, of a 120-day quit notice to North Korean companies to vacate
China is about the toughest measure taken against North Korea over its
nuclear development programme.
The feud between North Korea and, by
extension, some powerful western countries has, of course, always been
there with all its potential for multiplication and escalation. More
often than not, the issue of nuclear weapons development or some other
weapons of mass destruction engages most countries because of the huge
threat element in it.
Over time and particularly now, North
Korea has demonstrated tremendous defiance against the whole world by
not only continuously developing nuclear weapons but also by testing
them. In fact, by testing the weapons up to six times, North Korea has
proven to be most daring and completely unconcerned about human survival
and world peace.
It is in the context of this defiance
that the decision of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to
impose tough sanctions on North Korea can be fairly appreciated. In its
bid to show resentment to what is generally considered as recalcitrance
of North Korea and a support for the stance of the United Nations,
America has taken some other tough measures against the country.
By the UN sanctions, banks of member
countries are required to terminate transactions with North Korean banks
in addition to the fact that those countries should, henceforth, not
issue work permit or authorization to workers and investors from North
Korea. All these are decisions taken by the international community in
order to tackle a country that has been showing absolute contempt toward
the whole world.
As quite remarkable as the actions of UN
against North Korea have appeared to be, it is the 120-day quit notice
issued to North Koreans by the Chinese authorities, though immensely
laudable, that has beaten the imagination of most people of the world.
China was for long perceived as a blind supporter of North Korea which
nobody had ever thought could take such a decision.
In fact, China and North Korea both of
which are communist countries had always been considered as two sides of
the same coin. Neither of them was ever expected to go against the
other in whichever circumstances.
The decision of China to not only show
disapproval of North Korea’s nuclear development programme but even take
such a punitive measure is the clearest of all indications that the two
countries have now parted ways with the former aligning with the rest
of the world towards the protection of humanity against destructive
actions of the latter.
Certainly, the prevailing scenario with
regard to the nuclear development programme of North Korea supports and
even reenforces the call by Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria at the last UNGA
for “all member – states to ratify without delay the treaty prohibiting
nuclear weapons.”
His insistence that “necessary pressure
and diplomatic efforts must be brought on North Korea to accept peaceful
resolution of the crisis” is a further testimony of Nigeria’s
commitment to avert a calamity which even before it occurs reminds the
world of Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings during the Second World War
with all their monumental harsh effects on humans and the environment.
President Buhari’s statement at the last UNGA was and is
still a morale booster to all lovers of peace and development in the
world. The statement has indicated not only the concern but also the
courage of the President to join the United Nations as well as some
countries like America and China in the bid to tackle North Korea before
it causes a war that can cause unimaginable demographic, economic and
environmental dislocations in the world.
Therefore, the expectation that Nigeria
will readily follow China’s example by issuing quit notice to North
Koreans is a very valid one. The stance and auction of North Korea which
are absolutely inimical to world peace and development can only be effectively countered when countries like Nigeria emulate China in this regard.
It is, in fact, this kind of approach and
disposition that can facilitate the actualization of Nigeria’s bid for
appointment or recognition as a permanent member of the United Nations
Security Council. In addition to its present status as the leading
and most competent representative of Africa in the international
community, Nigeria needs to, at all times, champion causes that
guarantee world peace.
Already, the pronouncement of President
Muhammadu Buhari on the issue is quite indicative of a total readiness
of Nigerian authorities to go all the way in dealing with a situation
that portends grave danger for everyone and everywhere. This is about
the only path of honour that remains for Nigeria to take.
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