Anyaoku, others task world leaders on peace
By Francis Obinor and Uduma Kalu
FORMER Commonwealth Secretary General Chief Emeka Anyaoku yesterday hinged attainment of world peace on multilateralism, a consensus approach to global issues by the world leaders.
According to him, unilateralism as opposed to multilateralism is what can free the world from violence terrorism and human catastrophe.
Anyaoku spoke at the public presentation of a book titled "Diplomacy, World Peace, Security" written by Ambassador Oladele Akadiri at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Lagos.
Referring to the recent happenings in the world, especially in Iraq, the former Commonwealth scribe said world peace could only be achieved if leaders weigh their actions before taking them.
His words: "The survival of multilateralism will remain a major factor of the equation for world peace and security for the foreseeable future, as it has been for the past, at least until mankind has devised a better system.
The world will have to recognise more clearly than before that the continent of Africa should not be left alone to be a social volcano, economic doldrums and a political and military power vacuum."
Reviewing the book, Prof. Bola Akinterinwa said: "For as long as might determines what is right or wrong, it will be difficult to have peace in the world."
He lamented that the world is currently in crisis because emphasis is not placed on leadership, saying there cannot be world peace with the double - standards in world politics and that prospects of peace cannot be bright as long as emphasis is on unilaterialism."
Akinterinwa explained that the book has not pointed the way forward for Nigeria to re-engineer its foreign policy and for its 93 missions abroad to be adequately funded and equipped.
The book is dividend into 12 chapters, including an epilogue.
It covers major themes: The rise and growth of diplomacy as a tool for the management of International Peace and Security; the European Balance of Power and the evolution of collective security in Europe; and, colonial emancipation, the rise of new sovereign entities.
In his remarks, Akadiri, who left Foreign Affairs Ministry exactly 21 years ago, said that his desire to write the book was occasioned by such events as the foreign attacks on America in September 2001, the war in Afghanistan, the crisis in Iraq and the need to democratise the United Nations, among others.`
