By Judith Ugwumadu | 27 February 2014
Nigeria – and the African continent more widely – need to focus on democracy, prosperity and security as they go forward, a UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office minister urged today.
In a speech in Abuja to mark Nigeria’s centenary, Mark Simmonds said progress in these three areas would in turn help the African continent to develop and strengthen.
‘I believe that, as is the case in Europe, it is the choices African leaders make in these three areas that will determine Africa’s future,’ Simmonds said. But he added that success would not be judged by rhetoric, but by outcomes.
Addressing various heads of states from across Africa and speaking on behalf of UK Prime Minister David Cameron, Simmonds said the strengthening democracy should be Nigeria’s priority, especially in the run up to next February’s elections which ‘will be a vital milestone’.
But he expanded his message to the entire continent. ‘African nations will need to direct themselves with determination towards democracy,’ Simmonds said.
‘This is a call from Africans themselves, who – with a smart-phone in their hand and Twitter at their fingertips – want to shape and define their future; choose committed leaders and hold them accountable.’
Secondly, Africa’s growing middle class, strong growth rates and increasing stability means the continent is ‘on the verge of take off’, the minister noted.
‘But, to get the wheels off the ground, African economies will need to choose to couple transparent, capable and visionary economic management with investments in infrastructure, education and energy.’
He explained that the journey towards sustainable prosperity needed help from African governments who should unlock barriers to market, reducing the cost of doing business and eliminate corruption.
Democracies do not flourish nor do economies grow in the midst of instability, warned Simmonds.
‘The final area I want to highlight – for Nigeria and elsewhere - is the imperative of providing security for all citizens,’ he said.
He stressed the need to clamp down on terrorism and said the UK would partner with African governments to seek the ‘eradication of violent extremism’.
‘Let’s be clear. It is in the UK interest to promote democracy, stability and prosperity... Yet, the future journey will not be easy, the challenges will be great.’
