BRICS recommit to supporting Africa in conflict resolution

Leaders of BRICS member countries meeting in Brazil have recommitted to supporting Africa in resolving conflicts on the continent.

The leaders meeting at the ongoing 17th BRICS Summit held under the theme: “Strengthening Global South Cooperation for a More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance” said the principle “African solutions to African problems” should continue to serve as the basis for conflict resolution on the continent.

"We recognise the critical role played by the African Union in conflict prevention, management and resolution and reaffirm our support for African peace efforts on the continent, including those undertaken by the African Union, and African sub-regional organisations," a communique issued at the meeting said.

President of the Republic of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa arriving during the first day of the BRICS leaders summit, at the Museum of Modern Art (MAM), on July 6, 2025. (Credit: Hajarah Nalwadda)

"We commit to consider new ways to support African Union peace support operations, mediation efforts, peace processes and broader peacebuilding initiatives in the African continent," the statement added.

The leaders expressed concern over the severe humanitarian crises resulting from new and protracted armed conflicts in some regions of Africa, particularly the devastating effects of conflicts in Sudan, the Great Lakes region, and the Horn of Africa.

They said the situation in Sudan has resulted in a humanitarian crisis and the growing risk of proliferation of extremism and terrorism. They called for an immediate, permanent, and unconditional ceasefire and for a peaceful resolution of the conflict.

(L-R) Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi, Egyptian Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouly and Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Abiy Ahmed Ali during the first day of the BRICS leaders summit, at the Museum of Modern Art (MAM), on July 6, 2025. (Credit: Hajarah Nalwadda)

They noted that the Sudanese population is urgently in need of sustained, urgent
and unhindered access to humanitarian assistance.

Brazil's President Lula da Silva, while opening the meeting on Sunday (July 6, 2025), said if the international governance does not reflect the new multipolar reality of the 21st century, it is up to the BRICS to contribute to its updating.

He said there is need to transform the UN Security Council in order to make it more legitimate, representative, effective and democratic. 

He noted that there is need to include new permanent members from Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean.

"This is more than a question of justice; it is about ensuring the very survival of the UN. Every day we spend with an archaic and exclusionary international structure is a day lost in solving the crises that plague humanity," he said.

Lula also criticised NATO’s decision to hike military spending by 5% of GDP annually by 2035, a sentiment that was later echoed in the group’s declaration.

President of the Republic of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, giving his opening speech during the first day of the BRICS leaders summit, at the Museum of Modern Art (MAM), on July 6, 2025. (Credit: Hajarah Nalwadda)

“It is always easier to invest in war than in peace,” said Lula during the opening of the summit.

Vice President Jessica Alupo is representing Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni at the meeting. Uganda became a partner state of the BRICS in January this year.

The leaders welcomed Uganda, Belarus, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Cuba, Nigeria, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Uzbekistan as partner states. Indonesia was admitted as a full member state of the BRICS. 

BRICS is an acronym for Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, the five major emerging markets with significant economic potential. 

The bloc's membership has expanded since its first summit in 2009. In Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia and South Africa are the only full member states of the bloc.