UNITED Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has called on the international community to unite in efforts to stop the flow of weapons fueling violence in Africa.

He made the remarks in Addis Ababa today, February 15, 2025, during the ongoing opening ceremony of the 38th ordinary session of the African Union (AU) Assembly of Heads of State and Government carrying a theme: 'Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations'.

He stressed that while many solutions are available, peace and security must be prioritized to alleviate the suffering of civilians.

"Sudan is being torn apart before our eyes, now facing the largest displacement crisis and famine. As an international community, we must come together to stop the flow of weapons from this brutal circle of violence,” he said.

He added: “Regional escalation must be avoided at all costs; there are no military solutions. Dialogue must begin, and the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the DRC must be respected.”

The conclusions of the recent joint EAC-SADC summit include a call for an immediate ceasefire and a new moment for regional efforts based on the Rwanda and Nairobi processes. Now, it's time for swift implementation, he stressed.