Kosovo's declaration of independence from Serbia was enacted on Sunday, 17 February 2008 by a unanimous vote of the Assembly of Kosovo.[1] All 11 representatives of the Serb minority boycotted the proceedings.[2] International reaction was mixed, and the world community continues to be divided on the issue of the international recognition of Kosovo. Nigeria's position has been somewhat mixed.
Reaction
editIn July 2009, Umaru Yar'Adua, President of Nigeria, said that Nigeria would not recognise Kosovo as an independent nation and that the decision was informed by Nigeria's historical experience of the civil war of 1967 to 1970, fought to maintain its territorial integrity and sovereignty, declaring that "Since the end of the civil war, Nigeria has continued to embark on nation-building policies and strategies to forge a heterogeneous, yet inclusive nation".[3]
In November 2009, Ojo Maduekwe, Foreign Minister of Nigeria (and former advocate of Biafran independence), emphasised that Nigeria would never recognise the independence of Kosovo.[4]
In August 2011, Kosovo's First Deputy Prime Minister Behgjet Pacolli said that he had received from senior Nigerian state leaders support and guarantee that Kosovo recognition would be seriously dealt with in a short period of time.[5]
Reports of Nigeria recognising Kosovo appeared in 2011.[6][7] In a 22 September 2011 statement, a spokesman for the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Damian Agwu, said that the Nigerian Federal Government had decided to "open a trade office in Pristina".[8] However, the following day the Ministry reversed course and said no trade office would be opened.[9]
It was reported in September 2012 that Olugbenga Ashiru, Nigerian Foreign Minister, had denied that the recognition took place.[10] Behgjet Pacolli, the First Deputy Prime Minister of Kosovo, reiterated that the recognition occurred and claimed that Ashiru never spoke with the Gazeta Express.[11]
In January 2013, former Foreign Minister of Kosovo Skënder Hyseni said that the recognitions by Nigeria and Uganda were "contested, not only by the respective states, but also by the US State Department". Current Foreign Minister, Enver Hoxhaj, stated that he was certain that the number of recognitions is valid.[12] The lack of recognition was confirmed by the Nigerian Foreign Minister in March 2014.[13]
References
edit- ^ Kosovo MPs proclaim independence, BBC, 2008-02-17
- ^ Transkript: Nga Seanca Plenare e Jashtëzakonshme Solemne e Kuvendit Të Kosovës Me Rastin e Shpalljes Së Pavarësisë, Të Mbajtur Më 17 Shkurt 2008 Archived 2008-10-28 at the Wayback Machine, Republic of Kosovo Assembly, 2008-02-17 (in Albanian)
- ^ Nigeria Doesn't Recognise Kosovo, Says Yar'Adua, This Day, 19 July 2009 [dead link]
- ^ Nigeria will not recognize Kosovo Archived 24 November 2009 at the Wayback Machine, B92, 22 November 2009
- ^ Pacolli: Këtë javë vijnë disa njohje, Gazeta Express, 16 August 2011 (in Albanian)
- ^ [dead link]Countries that have recognized the Republic of Kosova, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kosovo
- ^ Nigeria recognizes Kosovo Independence Archived 9 July 2013 at the Wayback Machine, Top Channel, 13 September 2011
- ^ FG approves establishment of trade and commercial relations with Kosovo Archived 7 April 2014 at the Wayback Machine, News Agency of Nigeria, 12 September 2011
- ^ FG makes U-turn on trade office in Kosovo Archived 27 December 2016 at the Wayback Machine, Nigerian Tribune, 14 September 2011
- ^ As Nigeria, Gazeta Express, 7 September 2012 (in Albanian) Archived 8 September 2012 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Pacolli: Hoxhaj ka insistuar që Thaçi ta falënderojë Malin në KS, kosovaonline.info, 8 September 2012 (in Albanian)
- ^ "Dispute Arises Over Kosovo's 98th Recognition". 10 January 2013. Retrieved 5 October 2014.
- ^ Nigeria is yet to Recognise Kosovo as Independent State – Wali, Daily Times, 28 March 2014