Nigeria has resumed operations at its embassy in Pyongyang, North Korea, after a closure that started in early 2021 as a result of COVID-19 pandemic.
The embassy’s reopening makes Nigeria the second African nation, following Egypt, to keep up a diplomatic presence in North Korea.
In line with NK Information, whereas the embassy was closed, Nigeria and North Korea continued diplomatic ties via Nigeria’s mission in Abuja.
The Nigerian embassy in Pyongyang had suspended actions as a result of strict journey restrictions imposed by North Korea throughout the pandemic, which halted embassy operations and led to the departure of most overseas diplomats.
Appointed cost d’Affaires
Studies inform that Patrick Imodu Imologhome has been appointed as Nigeria’s cost d’affaires in Pyongyang. He arrived in December 2024, formally marking the reopening of Nigeria’s diplomatic mission.
- The Russian Embassy in Pyongyang confirmed his arrival and famous that he met with Russian Ambassador Alexander Matsegora on December eleventh to debate issues associated to the Korean Peninsula.
- Moreover, the Chinese language Embassy reported that Ambassador Wang Yajun met Imologhome on December thirteenth, although the dialogue was centered on strengthening China-Nigeria relations.
- Imologhome’s appointment was confirmed by Nigeria’s overseas ministry earlier in April 2023, though particulars relating to the appointment of a full ambassador haven’t but been launched.
Continued diplomatic engagement regardless of closure
North Korea and Nigeria have maintained diplomatic relations regardless of the closure of Nigeria’s embassy. In line with stories, North Korea’s ambassador to Nigeria, Jon Tong Chol, has remained in Abuja all through the pandemic.
Ambassador Jon has met with Nigerian officers on a number of events, together with discussions about public well being cooperation in 2020 and requires rising parliamentary exchanges in 2023.
Since his appointment in 2018, Ambassador Jon has been concerned in diplomatic exchanges with Nigeria, although the small print of their discussions have typically not been disclosed to the general public.
Sanctions violations and considerations over illicit commerce
In line with NK Information, considerations have arisen over potential sanctions violations associated to North Korea’s actions in Nigeria. Studies from the U.N. Panel of Specialists have recommended that North Korea’s Haegumgang Buying and selling Company tried to rearrange the sale of army tools price $3.5 million to Nigeria in late 2022.
- Moreover, there have been stories of North Korea utilizing Nigerian intermediaries in money-laundering schemes, regardless of worldwide sanctions towards Pyongyang.
- Although Nigeria claims to have complied with U.N. sanctions requiring the expulsion of North Korean staff by December 2019, some staff reportedly remained in Nigeria.
These developments have raised questions on ongoing unlawful actions regardless of the formal diplomatic relations between the 2 nations.
Diplomatic reopening and post-pandemic restoration
The reopening of Nigeria’s embassy comes after North Korea started permitting overseas diplomats to return in early 2023. In the course of the pandemic, Egypt remained the one African nation with an embassy in Pyongyang, as its diplomatic mission continued to function with out interruption.
The reopening of the Nigerian embassy highlights the continued diplomatic efforts between the 2 nations, regardless of challenges associated to sanctions and illicit actions. As North Korea recovers from the results of the pandemic, the way forward for bilateral relations between the 2 nations stays unsure.
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