Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to deepening bilateral ties with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) while offering its backing as the central African nation takes up a seat on the United Nations Security Council.
Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, hosted a Congolese delegation led by a special envoy of President Félix Tshisekedi in Abuja on Monday.
The envoy, accompanied by the DRC’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Pascaline Gerengbo Yakivu, delivered a special message to President Bola Tinubu. The message included an invitation for Nigeria to participate in a high-profile UN Security Council debate on African peace, security, and development, scheduled for July 22 in New York.
Ambassador Enikanolaiye congratulated the DRC on its election as a non-permanent member of the Security Council, expressing confidence that the country would champion Africa’s strategic interests. He assured the delegation that Nigeria would participate actively in the upcoming New York debate.
Ebola outbreak solidarity
During the bilateral talks, the minister conveyed President Tinubu’s sympathy to the government and people of the DRC over a fresh outbreak of the Ebola virus in parts of the country.
While praising the Congolese government’s containment efforts, Ambassador Enikanolaiye revealed that Nigeria has already activated its own preventative measures. This includes the establishment of a Presidential Task Force on Ebola Virus Disease to strengthen national response mechanisms.
Security and property disputes
The discussions also touched upon the persistent instability in the eastern region of the DRC. Ambassador Enikanolaiye reiterated Nigeria’s solidarity and its long-standing preference for “African-led and home-grown solutions” to the continent’s security challenges.
Beyond regional security, both nations used the meeting to address lingering bilateral disputes. These include outstanding consular issues and diplomatic property matters involving Nigeria within the DRC.
Both sides agreed to step up diplomatic consultations to resolve these administrative issues amicably.
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