Chinese President Xi Jinping has proposed four principles to guide efforts to resolve conflicts and address security challenges in Africa, emphasising African leadership, respect for national sovereignty, peaceful dialogue and long-term development.
Xi outlined the principles during a meeting with Togo’s President of the Council of Ministers, Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, who was on an official visit to China.
According to China’s state news agency, Xinhua, the Chinese leader stressed that African countries and their people must remain at the centre of decisions concerning the continent’s regional affairs.
“The African people are the true masters of Africa and should play a central role in regional affairs,” Xi said, underscoring the need for an Africa-led approach to conflict resolution.
On fairness and justice, he urged all parties involved in resolving conflicts to uphold the principles of the United Nations Charter and respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the countries concerned.
Xi also called for an end to hostilities through peaceful engagement, arguing that military conflict and unilateral sanctions could not fundamentally resolve disputes between countries.
He advocated mutual respect, extensive consultations and a willingness to accommodate differing positions as essential elements of peaceful settlements.
The fourth principle focuses on addressing both the immediate consequences and underlying causes of conflicts. Xi said international efforts should prioritise urgent security needs while developing long-term strategies to promote economic growth and sustainable stability.
China Seeks Stronger Mining Partnerships with Africa
Beyond security cooperation, the meeting addressed China-Africa relations in the mining sector, with Xi presenting a separate four-point proposal to strengthen collaboration and support Africa’s development.
The Chinese president maintained that African countries should retain ownership of their natural resources and determine their mining development plans in line with their national circumstances.
He also expressed China’s readiness to share its experience and support African countries in developing their mining industries.
On economic cooperation, Xi called for mutually beneficial partnerships, technology transfer and the wider adoption of environmentally friendly mining technologies suited to African conditions.
He further advocated a shift from the extraction and export of raw materials towards industrial processing and value addition, alongside the exploration of affordable and sustainable financing models.
“The starting principle should be African resources belonging to Africa,” Xi said, according to Xinhua’s report on the proposed mining cooperation framework.
The Chinese leader also emphasised the importance of maintaining a fair and open investment environment, cautioning against turning Africa’s natural resources into instruments of geopolitical rivalry.
He said China was prepared to work with African countries and other partners to create favourable conditions for business investment and operations.
The proposals highlight China’s stated commitment to strengthening its engagement with African countries in security, economic development and natural resource management.
For African nations, the emphasis on resource ownership, local industrial processing and technology transfer raises important questions about how international partnerships can translate into greater domestic value creation, employment opportunities and sustainable economic growth.
