10 Quick Facts About The Controversial Samoa Agreement
The Samoa Agreement has become a subject of controversy in Nigeria amid claims that the agreement signed by the Federal Government contains clauses that mandate Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender, LGBTQ rights.
Recall that the European Union and member states came together to sign partnership agreement, which was referred to as the Samoa Agreement on November 15, 2023.
The member states that signed the agreement, which seeks to address global challenges, are called the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States, also known as OACPS.
Here are some quick facts about the Samoa Agreement:
1. The Samoa Agreement is a partnership agreement and a vital legal framework for cooperation between the EU and its member states, on the one hand, and members of OACPS on the other.
2. The multilateral agreement is colloquially called the ‘Samoa Agreement’ because its signing took place on the Island of Samoa in Oceania during the 46th session of the ACP-EU Council of Ministers.
3. The agreement, signed by Nigeria and other members of the OACPS, is based on six key priorities to tackle the main challenges in the member countries over the next two decades.
4. The Nigerian Ambassador to the Kingdom of Belgium, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and the European Union, Obinna Onowu, signed the agreement on behalf of the Nigerian Government at the OACPS Secretariat in Brussels on June 28, 2024.
5. The priorities include human rights, democracy and governance; peace and security; human and social development; inclusive, sustainable economic growth and development; environmental sustainability and climate change; and mobility/migration.
6. An important principle of the agreement is that ‘’the Parties shall make decisions and undertake actions at the most appropriate domestic, regional or multi-country level’’.
7. No Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer clause in the agreement.
Samoa agreement in interest of Nigeria —FG
8. The EU and all its member states signed the agreement on November 15, 2023. Out of the 79 members of the OACPS, 74, including Nigeria, signed before the deadline of June 30, 2024.
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