Tinubu at AU-EU Summit: Africa Must Lead Its Own Security, Get Permanent UNSC Seats

President Bola Tinubu voiced a strong position against the use of private military and security contractors in African conflict areas at the 7th African Union–European Union Summit in Luanda, Angola.

Speaking on Monday, he specifically stated that their presence violates state sovereignty and makes the task of counter-terrorism more difficult.

Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, told heads of state and EU leaders:“We stand resolutely against the use of private military and security companies in African conflicts, as their presence often complicates resolution efforts and undermines state sovereignty.”

The President insisted that Africa needs coordinated, state-led action to combat issues like terrorism and organised crime, rejecting the involvement of parallel forces with unclear mandates.

This position aligns with Nigeria’s traditional support for regional peace missions under the ECOWAS and AU.

Co-chaired by Angolan President João Lourenço and European Council President António Costa, the 7th AU–EU Summit gathers African and European leaders.

Its agenda focuses on fostering dialogue and cooperation across critical areas such as security, trade, governance, and migration.

Tinubu also expressed concern that the global move away from multilateralism has created a fragile security climate.

He singled out the EU for praise as one of the few platforms maintaining continent-to-continent engagement based on “mutual respect and shared aspirations.”

The president reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to promoting peace and democratic stability across Africa and underscored Nigeria’s call for permanent United Nations Security Council seats for African nations.

“It is time for Africa to occupy permanent seats on the UN Security Council, with all attendant privileges, including the veto. Genuine text-based negotiations under the Intergovernmental Negotiations framework must now commence,” he said, urging EU support for the continent’s reform agenda.

Addressing regional security challenges, Tinubu pointed at Nigeria’s counter-terrorism achievements, noting that more than 250,000 Boko Haram-affiliated individuals had surrendered in early 2025 through a combination of kinetic and non-kinetic measures, including the Multinational Joint Task Force in the Lake Chad Basin.

“As of early 2025, over 120,000 Boko Haram-affiliated individuals, including family members, have surrendered.”

He also stressed the importance of African-led frameworks in addressing irregular migration, noting the need to acknowledge its economic and demographic drivers.

“Criminalising mobility has only compounded insecurity. Our joint task is to convert mobility into safe, orderly, and productive pathways that benefit both continents,” he said, citing Nigeria’s Technical Aid Corps and business process outsourcing initiatives as models.