⬆️Ambassador Dunoma Umar Ahmed.
Nigeria has called for meaningful inclusion of women in peace processes, and condemned all forms of conflict-related sexual violence at the United
Nations Security Council (UNSC) Open Debate on Women, Peace and Security held on 27 October 2026 at the United Nations (UN) Headquarters in New York. The debate was convened under the theme: “Women Peace and Security in the Next Quarter-Century: Fulfilling the Promise Through Implementation”.
Delivering Nigeria’s statement at the meeting, Ambassador Dunoma Umar Ahmed, PhD., Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, welcomed the report of the UN Secretary-General, H.E. Antonio Guterres, on Women, Peace and Security. He, however, expressed deep concern over the persistent exclusion of women from most UN-led peace processes in 2025.
The Permanent Secretary expressed grave concern over reports that cases of conflict-related sexual violence had more than doubled since 2024.
He observed that the situation was particularly alarming for Africa, and emphasised that the exclusion of women from peace processes continued to undermine peace efforts, weaken fragile agreements, fuel new conflicts and cost lives.
Amb. Ahmed conveyed Nigeria’s recommendations for the institutionalisation of women’s meaningful participation in peace processes, and ensuring predictable financing for national action plans in this regard. Nigeria also called for the placing of survivors of conflict-related sexual violence at the centre of protection, justice and accountability, while ensuring that perpetrators are held accountable, primarily through national justice systems, with appropriate international support.
Nigeria reaffirmed its conviction that sustainable and inclusive peace in Africa wouldn’t be achieved without the full and meaningful participation of women. It reiterated its unwavering commitment to working with the UNSC, the AU and other international partners to translate the promises of Resolution 1325 into tangible and measurable outcomes for women and girls across the African continent.