US backs Nigeria on chemical weapons convention implementation

The United States (U.S.) government has reaffirmed its readiness to parley Nigeria in commencing talks on the implementation of a Chemical Weapons Convention for ECOWAS.

Speaking in a media roundtable with select journalists in Abuja on Wednesday, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State, Bureau of Arms Control, Deterrence, and Stability (ADS), Mallory Stewart, explained the purpose of her visit after meeting with Federal Government and ECOWAS officials on the upcoming partnership with the Nigerian government

“One of the other conversations we had was our upcoming partnership with the Nigerian government to lead a conversation for the sub-region on the implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention and understanding the challenges in that context.

“That is so that you know the Nigerian voice in explaining sometimes the concerns with respect to non-state actors; concerning chemical security.

“How they can be important in the sub-region and how as a region – if ECOWAS member states can also work towards implementing some of these international conventions, it can be more stabilising,” she said.

Stewart revealed further that she had a chat with top officials over the serious security challenges in the Gulf of Guinea and how the U.S. could contribute to the Yaounde Architecture group’s efforts there.

She added that she explored the possibility of the U.S. providing additional capacities, communication mechanisms, and better standard operating procedures for diverse players working through an appreciation for Nigeria’s role.

“We’re working through an appreciation for the maritime centres that are based here to see if we can facilitate a better appreciation of more effective teamwork.

“We really hope to enable the capacity and enable the communication that Nigeria would bring into broader conversations, both sub-regionally and domestically,” she said.

Commenting on ECOWAS’ formation of a sub-regional standby force, and how the U.S. is keying into it, the envoy gave an assurance that the experts on the issue at the embassy would follow up on that.