UNGA: Military Victories Alone Cannot Secure Lasting Peace — Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu has said military victories alone cannot secure lasting peace, calling for greater emphasis on diplomacy, development, reconciliation and international cooperation.

Tinubu made the remarks in his address to the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York. Vice President Kashim Shettima delivered the address on his behalf.

The President said Nigeria’s prolonged fight against Boko Haram, ISWAP and other armed groups had demonstrated that military action must be supported by measures that address the conditions that allow insecurity to persist.

According to him, lasting security requires investment in education, economic opportunities, accountable governance and communities where citizens’ rights and dignity are protected.

He said development could not take root where violence repeatedly destroys livelihoods, while peace would remain difficult to sustain where injustice and exclusion continue to create conditions for further conflict.

Tinubu therefore called for stronger international cooperation against terrorism, organised crime, cyberattacks and illicit financial networks.

He urged countries to strengthen intelligence sharing, build institutional capacity, disrupt the financing of violence and prevent illegal weapons from crossing borders.

The President said the security situation in the Sahel demonstrated how instability in one country could affect neighbouring states by displacing populations, disrupting commerce and undermining regional integration and democratic governance.

He reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to working through the Economic Community of West African States, the African Union and international partnerships to address regional security challenges.

Tinubu also called for urgent diplomatic efforts to resolve conflicts in Sudan and other war-affected countries.

He urged all parties to respect international humanitarian and human rights law, protect civilians and facilitate humanitarian assistance.

The President said negotiated settlements should respect national sovereignty and territorial integrity, while warning against approaches that deepen humanitarian suffering.

He argued that the United Nations should give greater attention to peacebuilding, mediation, institution-building and sustainable development alongside peacekeeping.

Tinubu said prevention should receive greater political attention and resources, stressing that addressing the underlying causes of conflict was essential to achieving durable peace.

He also reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to peaceful dispute resolution under the UN Charter and urged countries to strengthen international cooperation.

The President said Nigeria would continue to support dialogue, reconciliation and inclusive political processes as part of efforts to end conflicts and preserve peace agreements.

He added that a stronger and more inclusive multilateral system was necessary to address security challenges that increasingly cross national borders.