Tinubu Rejects Use of Private Military Contractors in African Conflicts at AU–EU Summit

President Bola Tinubu has cautioned against the growing deployment of private military and security contractors in African conflict zones, warning that their increasing involvement undermines national sovereignty and complicates counter-terrorism operations across the continent.

Speaking during the first plenary on Peace, Security, Governance and Multilateralism at the 7th AU–EU Summit in Luanda, Angola, the President represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima said peace efforts on the continent must remain firmly under the leadership of African governments and not outsourced to private actors with unclear mandates.

He stressed that Nigeria’s long-standing approach to regional peacekeeping through ECOWAS and the AU reinforces the view that Africa’s complex security challenges require coordinated, state-driven solutions rather than parallel forces that weaken command systems and distort conflict resolution.

Tinubu also warned that the world’s increasing drift away from multilateralism has created a fragile security environment, noting that the EU remains one of the few entities still engaging Africa at a continent-to-continent level based on shared interests, mutual respect, and collective responsibility.

The President reaffirmed Nigeria’s readiness to deepen collaboration with the EU on stabilising Africa, pushing democratic consolidation, reforming global governance systems, and securing permanent veto-wielding seats for Africa on the UN Security Council.

“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,” he said.

“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 added.

Tinubu further highlighted Nigeria’s recent security gains including the surrender of over 120,000 Boko Haram-affiliated individuals while calling for stronger AU–EU partnerships on preventive diplomacy, constitutional order, and tackling challenges such as irregular migration, climate pressures, illicit weapons flow, and the resurgence of military coups across Africa.