BEIJING, China — Chinese President Xi Jinping has outlined four principles for resolving conflicts and addressing security challenges in Africa, emphasizing African leadership, respect for national sovereignty, peaceful dialogue, and long-term development.
Xi announced the principles on Tuesday during a meeting with Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, President of Togo’s Council of Ministers, who is on an official visit to China.
According to Xi, African countries and their people must take the lead in addressing conflicts on the continent, while international partners should support solutions that respect African priorities and national interests.
The first principle, Africa-led solutions, stresses that African people are the rightful masters of their continent and should play a central role in determining how regional challenges are addressed.
Xi’s second principle calls for fairness and justice, urging all parties involved in conflict resolution to uphold the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter and respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the countries concerned.
On the third principle, Xi emphasized ending hostilities through dialogue and consultation. He argued that wars and unilateral sanctions cannot fundamentally resolve conflicts between countries, calling instead for mutual respect, extensive consultations, the pursuit of common ground, and accommodation of differences.
The fourth principle focuses on addressing the root causes of conflict alongside immediate security concerns. Xi said efforts to resolve instability should combine urgent measures to improve security with long-term development planning to help prevent conflicts from recurring.
The four principles highlight Beijing’s stated approach to conflict resolution in Africa, placing emphasis on African ownership, adherence to international principles, peaceful engagement, and sustainable development.
Xi’s remarks come as African countries continue to confront various security and political challenges, including armed conflicts and instability in some regions. His proposed approach calls for solutions that go beyond immediate security responses to address the conditions that contribute to prolonged disputes.
The meeting with Gnassingbé also provided an opportunity for discussions on China-Togo relations and broader regional and international issues.
Xi’s position underscores China’s call for African-led efforts in resolving the continent’s conflicts, with dialogue, respect for sovereignty, and long-term development identified as central elements of the proposed approach.
