Security Challenges in Africa: Peter Obi Identifies Root Causes at Athens Dialogue
Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, joined global leaders in Athens, Greece, for an international dialogue focused on governance, security, and the economy. Obi emphasized the profound global and generational transformations confronting leaders today.
“In Africa, we face alarming levels of insecurity, corruption, poverty, youth unemployment, and gross inequality,” Obi stated. “Over 50% of the world’s multidimensionally poor live in Sub-Saharan Africa, with Nigeria and Congo having over 60% of their populations living in poverty.”
Obi stressed the need for urgent attention to enhance collective security, lift people out of poverty, and reduce injustice and inequality. He criticized African countries for underinvesting in critical areas such as health and education, which perpetuates societal challenges.
To address these challenges, Obi called on future African leaders to take bold, accelerated, just, and transformative actions. He emphasized the importance of confronting insecurity head-on, reassuring citizens of the state’s ability to maintain security, and tackling corruption vigorously.
Obi also highlighted the need for leaders to prioritize investments in critical areas and address poverty, unemployment, hunger, and other pressing societal challenges. By doing so, Africa can achieve people-centered development and ensure a brighter future.
Obi remains committed to placing Nigeria on the right path, leveraging the country’s resources to drive positive change. “A New Nigeria is Possible,” he affirmed.
The Athens International Dialogue brought together former presidents, prime ministers, serving and retired senior government officials, military chiefs, renowned academics, sports personalities, and other global leaders to discuss governance, security, and economic challenges.
