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- Ondo senator cites 1648 Peace of Westphalia
The senator representing Ondo South, Jimoh Ibrahim, has appealed to global leaders to revisit the principles of the 1648 Peace of Westphalia as a framework for maintaining international peace and security.
Ibrahim, who chairs the Inter-Parliamentary Committee Worldwide, spoke at the United Nations Sixth World Speakers’ Conference in Geneva,
The senator stressed the need to uphold sovereignty and the non-interference doctrine in international relations.
According to him, abandoning these principles in favour of power dynamics and national interests threatens global harmony.
Ibrahim said these principles remained the primary means of fostering international peace and security.
He said these fundamental principles should not be replaced by power, interests, or authority in global politics.
Ibrahim noted that respecting sovereignty is crucial for safeguarding global peace and promoting international harmony.
The senator reminded global leaders that no country possesses absolute sovereignty and that maintaining peace should be the guiding principle of geo-centric politics amidst power struggles.
He added: “Those fundamental principles of non-interference in the domestic affairs of nations and the prevention of the use of force are principles of the protocol of the 1648 treaty of Westphalia. They are distilled into the United Nations as the rule book of international engagement.
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“An action to the contrary is an invitation to disunity and temptation, a self-creation of an ancillary power that can affect international peace and security.”
Ibrahim noted that Africa has remained peaceful in recent times because Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has focused on respecting national sovereignty, regardless of a country’s size.
“Every nation must honour sovereignty as long as it meets the criteria set by the 1648 Peace of Westphalia, including population, government presence, and territorial boundaries.”
Ibrahim urged countries seeking to test their strength to first concentrate on implementing border controls to prevent unauthorised entry.
The senator suggested that such controls could include erosion without visas or air border measures that could help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
“It is unfortunate that we are once again curbing the benefits of globalisation in the face of hunger and human abuse, creating tension over which we have no absolute control.
“Yes, a country can focus inward to the balance of power. Still, the need to stay united in foreign policies serves the interest of international peace in modern times, when international institutions are becoming increasingly epiphenomenal,” Ibrahim said.
The Ondo South senator advised the speakers of various countries to return home and pass legislation that would ensure their countries respect sovereignty as a sign of strong support for international peace and security.
He stressed that the Nigerian Senate and the African Parliament supported his suggestions.