His Excellency Dr. Julius Maada Bio, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone and Chair of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, has called on African and European leaders to embrace a renewed partnership grounded in mutual respect, shared responsibility, and genuine equality on Sunday 23rd November 2025. He delivered these remarks during his address at the 7th African Union-European Union Summit in Luanda, Angola.
President Bio expressed deep appreciation to the Government and people of Angola for their warm hospitality. He also commended the African Union and the European Union for convening the Summit at what he described as a pivotal moment in global affairs. Although the world is more interconnected than ever, he cautioned that it is also increasingly fragile, underscoring the need for deeper collaboration across continents.
Highlighting Africa’s progress in democratic governance, the President noted that the continent continues to face significant challenges such as institutional fragility and unconstitutional changes of government. He reaffirmed ECOWAS’ zero tolerance for coups and stressed that ensuring long-term stability requires more than mere condemnation.
“Sustainable stability demands credible, nationally owned transitions, resilient institutions, and renewed trust between citizens and the state,” he stated, emphasising that West Africa is determined to shape a future defined by resolve rather than crisis.
Turning to the rise of terrorism and violent extremism across Africa, President Bio reminded the Summit that the continent recorded the highest number of terrorism-related deaths globally last year. He highlighted Sierra Leone’s leadership at the United Nations Security Council, where the country has championed issues such as small arms proliferation, conflict-induced hunger, and peace in West Africa.
“But one truth remains constant: peace cannot be enforced by bullets alone. It must be nourished by inclusion, opportunity, justice, and a state that people trust,” he said.
As Coordinator of the African Union Committee of Ten (C-10) on United Nations Security Council Reform, President Bio stressed that restructuring global governance is essential to ensuring fairness and legitimacy.
“The reform of the Security Council is not a favour to Africa; it is a long-overdue correction to history,” he declared, adding that Africa’s sovereignty is non-negotiable and that no partnership should reinforce outdated hierarchies or remnants of colonial domination.
While acknowledging the longstanding cooperation between Africa and Europe, President Bio argued that the relationship must now shift from promises to measurable results. He outlined Africa’s core priorities, including climate resilience, digital innovation, industrialisation, youth empowerment, and expanded investments in value addition and energy transition.
He reaffirmed Sierra Leone’s strong support for UN Security Council Resolution 2719, which ensures predictable financing for African Union-led peace operations, but cautioned that financing alone will not suffice without substantial structural investments in Africa’s economic growth engines.
Concluding his statement, President Bio underscored that Africa is not seeking pity but partnership one rooted in dignity, sovereignty, fairness, and shared prosperity.
“Our people deserve a world where dignity is non-negotiable, opportunity is accessible, and hope is a right,” he said. “Let us choose cooperation over competition, law over force, and hope over fear. And let us choose each other as equal partners in shaping a safer and more prosperous world.”
