Nigeria has confirmed its absence at the signing of the
Samoa Agreement, a partnership between the member countries of the Organisation
of Africa, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) and the European Union (EU).
The Samoa agreement is intended to serve as an overarching
legal framework for relations between the African, Caribean and Pacific states
(ACP) and the EU for the next 20 years and was slated to be signed on November
15 (Wednesday).
The partnership is one of the oldest and most comprehensive
frameworks for cooperation between the EU and third countries and succeeds the
Cotonou Agreement which was signed in 2000.
Member states of the pact comprise 47 African countries, including Nigeria, 16 from the Caribbean, 15 Pacific nations, and the Republic of Maldives.
In a shock move, Nigeria announced on Thursday that it was
absent from the agreement’s signing.
A statement signed by Francisca Omayuli, spokesperson for
the ministry of foreign affairs, said stakeholders were still studying the
agreement.
“The attention of the Federal Government of Nigeria has been
drawn to diverse pronouncements and publications on the implication of Nigeria
signing the New Partnership Agreement, known as the Samoa Agreement, between
the Member States of the Organization of Africa, Caribbean and Pacific States
(OACPS) and the European Union (EU),” the statement reads.
Omayuli added that “the general public is invited to note
that Nigeria was not represented at the Signing Ceremony, which took place in
Samoa on Wednesday, 15th November 2023 and hence has not signed the Agreement”.
“Relevant Nigerian stakeholders are currently studying the
Instrument with a view to ensuring that its provisions do not contravene
Nigeria’s domestic legislation,” she said.
The agreement covers subjects such as sustainable
development and growth, human rights and peace and security.
However, a coalition of civil society organisations (CSOs)
has protested against Nigeria’s participation in the agreement, describing the
pact as “deceptive”.
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