The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Aminu Wali, has said that challenges of terrorism is the main threat for some countries in Africa even as he assured the United Nations that Nigeria would tackle and wipe out terrorism from its shores.

Wali, who spoke in New York on Monday in his first official visit to the UN Headquarters, said African countries were still faced with challenges of peace and security.

According to him, Nigeria is taking “definite steps” in collaborating with its neighbours to fight terrorism.

“Terrorism now poses the main threat; weak or failing state institutions also pose a risk to some countries in the region. In the CAR following the unconstitutional change of government, chaos and mayhem ensued. The sectarian violence that led to the death of many and which the country is still reeling from, poses a serious challenge to the region and the entire international community,” he said.

The minister commented on the spate of killing of Nigerians by Boko Haram insurgents in the North East zone of the country and the recent abduction of school girls in Chibok, Borno, stressing that given the government efforts,  terrorism would be eliminated from Nigeria.

“There is no doubt that terrorism has emerged as a global monster that requires the collaboration of the international community to deal with. We are taking definite steps in collaboration with our neighbours to find lasting solutions to the menace. I can assure you that in due course, we will eliminate this danger to our country,” Wali said.

The minister said the political unrest in South Sudan had resulted in the deaths of many innocent people and “vicious ethnic conflict”.

He also condemned the recent attack on a UN building in South Sudan in which several refugees were killed and nearly 5,000 South Sudanese have been sheltering since the country plunged into violence in December.

Agency reports also said that the minister reiterated the urgent need for reforms of the UN Security Council.

“The world has witnessed tremendous changes since 1945; today, African countries have become major troop contributing countries to UN peacekeeping operations.

“Unfortunately Africa remains under-represented in the council; it has only three seats in the non-permanent category and remains the only continent without any representation in the permanent category.

“Although the actual reform is yet to commence, Africa will continue to remain focused to ensure adequate representation in the reformed United Nations.”

Mr. Wali had presided over a UN Security Council meeting, which adopted a resolution on Security Sector Reform, SSR, for the first time in its history.

The resolution, which was unanimously adopted by the 15-member council, was sponsored by Nigeria during its month-long presidency of the council in April.