Biden-Tinubu Talks: Binance Executive Release and UN Seat on the Table

Binance Executive Freedom and UN Permanent Seat

“The call was about the collaboration between the two countries with regards to law enforcement...”

President Biden Thanks President Tinubu: US-Nigeria Ties Strengthened After Binance Executive's Release

President Joe Biden recently expressed his gratitude to President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria for releasing Tigran Gambaryan, a Binance executive who was detained in Nigeria. Gambaryan, who heads finance crime compliance at Binance, was released on humanitarian grounds after charges of money laundering and tax evasion were dropped. The release came after a period of diplomatic tension, with US lawmakers accusing Nigeria of taking Gambaryan hostage and urging Biden to intervene.

Biden and Tinubu's 30-minute phone call on Tuesday discussed Gambaryan's release and Nigeria's role in the United Nations. The conversation, disclosed by Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, Nigeria's Minister of Foreign Affairs, highlighted the importance of the US-Nigeria relationship. This phone call marks a significant development in the relations between the two nations, following earlier tensions.

Discussion Points:

Gambaryan's Release: Biden thanked Tinubu for releasing Gambaryan, who returned to the US last week.

US-Nigeria Relations: The call reinforced the enduring commitment to the US-Nigeria relationship and longstanding friendship between the two countries.

Nigeria's Global Role: Nigeria's invitation to the G20 Summit acknowledges its significant global role as Africa's largest democracy and economy.

UN Involvement: The discussion touched on Nigeria's place in the United Nations, underscoring its importance in global affairs.

“The call was about the collaboration between the two countries with regards to law enforcement and law enforcement agencies as well as the release of one of the suspects of the crypto currency exchange company that you are all aware of,” Tuggar said.

“Mr President also thanked the US for the partnership and collaboration in numerous areas with regards to security in Africa and West Africa as as whole.

“President Biden assured President Tinubu that this is a partnership because the future of the world reside in Africa and as such, the partnership is important.

“The leaders also discussed the issue of permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council, and Biden assured that the the United States is committed to seeing Africa having a permanent seat and sees why one of those seats should belong to Nigeria.”