UN Secretary-General António Guterres joined African Union and European Union leaders to pledge deeper cooperation on ending conflicts and boosting development across Africa, according to UN News.
The three organizations met at United Nations (UN) headquarters during the General Assembly’s big week and released a joint statement after their sixth trilateral meeting on Sunday. They focused heavily on Africa’s worst crises, especially the devastating war in Sudan now in its third year. The leaders called for stronger coordination in the Sahel, where armed groups keep attacking communities, and backed peace efforts in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. They also want better financing for the AU mission in Somalia and support for Libya’s stalled political process.
The war in Sudan has killed thousands and displaced millions since fighting broke out between rival military factions in April 2023. The Sahel region faces attacks from jihadist groups while governments struggle to maintain control. In eastern DRC, various armed groups continue fighting despite multiple peace agreements. The three organizations said they need to work together better to tackle these overlapping crises instead of going it alone.
“Much of the communiqué focused on African crises,” the statement noted, calling for “an immediate cessation of hostilities and a sustainable solution” in Sudan through talks that include all sides. The leaders also stressed that multilateralism remains “the most effective way to address today’s challenges” while worrying about growing disregard for international humanitarian law worldwide. They plan to use Africa’s Agenda 2063 and the UN’s 2030 development goals as their roadmap.
Money remains a huge problem. The leaders want full implementation of the Sevilla Commitment to unlock investment and tackle debt burdens that crush many African countries. They’re also pushing for reforms at multilateral development banks to get more cash flowing. Climate change hits vulnerable communities hardest, so they want ambitious commitments at COP30 in Brazil this November.
Guterres separately addressed the “Unstoppable Africa 2025” forum, calling the continent pure “opportunity” because of its young population and renewable resources. He wants more investment in clean energy, food systems, and digital infrastructure while making sure Africa gets fair returns from its minerals needed for the clean energy switch.
