Africa’s Success Essential to Global Peace and Stability, Says UN Chief

Addis Ababa, May 13, 2026 —The United Nations has emphasized that the progress and success of Africa are critical to maintaining global peace and stability.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres made the remarks during the 10th African Union–United Nations Annual Conference held in Addis Ababa today, reaffirming the UN’s commitment to supporting Africa’s pursuit of peace, prosperity, and sustainable development.

“For me, the priority of the United Nations should be Africa in all areas of its activity,” Guterres said.

He praised Africa’s efforts to resolve conflicts, strengthen continental unity, and advance major development initiatives such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and efforts toward building a new African financial architecture.

Guterres stressed the need for the international community to confront historical injustices that continue to affect Africa’s development, including colonization, slavery, and the transatlantic slave trade.

He also voiced strong support for African calls for reparations and reforms of global governance institutions, including the United Nations Security Council, the International Monetary Fund, and the World Bank.

According to the UN chief, Africa continues to face structural inequalities in the global financial system, including high borrowing costs, biased sovereign credit ratings, and inequitable allocation of Special Drawing Rights (SDRs).

“There is an ecosystem that benefits developed countries and hampers the emergence of Africa,” he said.

Guterres further warned that external interference has worsened conflicts in parts of the continent, including Libya, the Sahel, and Sudan, noting that past military interventions without long-term strategies contributed to instability and the spread of extremism.

He reiterated that the United Nations fully supports African-led peace efforts and does not seek to replace the African Union’s leadership in resolving conflicts.

On economic transformation, the Secretary-General highlighted Africa’s vast reserves of critical minerals and renewable energy resources, saying the continent is central to the global green transition.

However, he cautioned against repeating exploitative patterns where raw materials are exported without local value addition.

Guterres also pointed to Africa’s youthful and rapidly growing population as a major global opportunity, noting that the continent now has about 1.58 billion people—nearly 19 percent of the world’s population—with a median age of around 19.5 years.

“If conditions are not created for Africans to harness their full potential, the consequences will be tragic for the rest of the world,” he warned.

He concluded by reaffirming UN solidarity with Africa, stating: “The success of Africa is key to global success. We are fully with you and ready to work with you in total unity.”