Chairman of the Senate Committee on Reparation & Repatriation, Senator Ned Nwoko, has urged heads of government within the Commonwealth to rally behind Gambia Foreign Minister, Mamadou Tangara, for the position of Commonwealth Secretary-General candidacy.
The Senator representing Delta North Senatorial District in the Nigerian Senate, expressed his support in a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday, praising Tangara’s vast experience and leadership qualities, saying such political support would be essential for Tangara to make meaningful progress on vital issues.
The election for the next Commonwealth Secretary-General will take place during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), scheduled for October 21-26, 2024, in Apia, Samoa.
Nwoko said he was particularly impressed by Tangara’s speech at Chatham House in London, where he called for the Commonwealth to leverage its influence in fostering meaningful dialogue on reparative justice for Africa.
He harped on Tangara’s distinguished career as one of Africa’s longest-serving foreign ministers, noting, “His deep understanding of global challenges, coupled with his unwavering commitment to Africa’s progress, makes him an ideal leader to guide the Commonwealth in this pivotal era.”.
“His expertise in diplomacy, politics and development stand him out. He exhibited that at a recent bilateral meeting in Abuja, where the Gambian diplomat outlined his vision for Africa and the Commonwealth. Tangara emphasized key global issues, including reparative justice for Africa, peace and security, human rights, climate action, and digital inclusion.
“Tangara’s goals closely align with my advocacy for reparative justice, expressing confidence in the Gambian’s ability to lead the Commonwealth in addressing these critical issues. His commitment to such causes is clear, and I believe his leadership would be instrumental in ensuring that the Commonwealth takes a more active role in advocating for these initiatives,” Nwoko added.
“I firmly believe Tangara’s candidacy presents an extraordinary opportunity for the Commonwealth to embrace the mission of reparative justice under the leadership of an African Secretary-General,” Nwoko further stated.
Nwoko expressed optimism that Tangara’s leadership would mark a transformative era for the Commonwealth, particularly in addressing the pressing concerns of Africa and the broader global community.
