By Our Reporter
President Bola Tinubu has called on countries that manufacture and export arms to deepen cooperation with African states and tighten controls to prevent weapons and ammunition produced within their jurisdictions from falling into the hands of terrorists and other non-state armed groups. He made the call at the 21st Extraordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union in Luanda, Angola, where he was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima.
Tinubu stated that the diversion of arms was exacerbating Africa’s security challenges and undermining efforts to prevent conflicts across the continent. He urged stronger international cooperation to ensure that legitimate arms transfers do not become a source of weapons for terrorist organisations, bandits and other armed groups threatening African societies.
The President also backed the adoption of the Luanda Action Plan as a framework for strengthening conflict prevention, arguing that preventing conflicts is more sustainable and less costly than managing them after violence has erupted. “For Nigeria, conflict prevention remains more cost-effective and sustainable than conflict management,” he said.
Tinubu further warned that fragmented peace initiatives and growing reliance on foreign military forces, mercenaries and private defence contractors could weaken African-led security efforts. “The growing reliance on external actors risks weakening African institutions and the principle of African ownership,” he said, calling on African countries to take greater collective responsibility for the continent’s peace and security.
Nigeria also backed sustainable and predictable financing for AU peace operations and the full operationalisation of UN Security Council Resolutions 2719, aimed at strengthening the continent’s capacity to respond to conflicts and crises.
Tinubu urged African leaders to embrace stronger cooperation and home-grown solutions, saying, “Let us therefore renew our collective commitment to solidarity, cooperation, and shared responsibility as we build the Africa we want.”