The Secretary-General met today with His Excellency Mr. Olugbenga Ayodeji Ashiru, Foreign Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The Secretary-General and the Foreign Minister discussed recent developments in Nigeria, including the recent spate of violence in the northern part of the country. They exchanged views on the recently adopted Security Council resolution establishing a United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in Mali, while stressing the need for the Stabilisation Mission to be coupled by a political process to achieve sustainable peace and stability in Mali. The Secretary-General and the Foreign Minister also discussed the situation in Guinea-Bissau and ongoing efforts in support of the political process in the country. Finally, the Secretary-General talked about the situation in Darfur, Sudan, particularly the deteriorating security situation. In this context, he commiserated with the Foreign Minister over the recent loss of Nigerian peacekeepers in Darfur.