By Mercy Aikoye
The Arewa Youths Consultative Forum has urged African leaders to consider reviewing diplomatic relations with Belgium if the reported search of a residence allegedly used by Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) President Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo in Brussels is found to have violated international law.
The forum’s convener, Mallam Kabiru Yusuf, made the call in a statement urging the African Union (AU) and African governments to seek clarification from Belgian authorities.
The development follows a petition by the African Centre for Justice and Human Rights, which the Nigerian House of Representatives approved for consideration at Wednesday’s plenary. The petition seeks an inquiry into the reported search of the residence in Uccle, Brussels.
The group said the incident raised concerns about African sovereignty, the legal protections of heads of state and relations between African and European countries.
It called for transparency over the circumstances surrounding the reported search, stressing that any response should be guided by established facts and applicable international law.
The forum urged the AU, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and other relevant institutions to engage Belgium diplomatically and coordinate an appropriate response.
It also called on African governments to protect their sovereignty and control over strategic mineral resources, warning against undue external interference in decisions affecting the continent’s interests.
Commending the House of Representatives for considering the petition, the group urged the Nigerian government to work with other African states to address the matter through appropriate diplomatic channels.
Yusuf said Africa’s relations with international partners should be based on equality, accountability and mutual respect.
