The African Regional Organisation of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC-Africa) has called on world leaders to prioritize peace, dialogue, and human development over wars and militarization. The organization, which represents over 18 million African workers, expressed concern over escalating conflicts, civilian casualties, and disregard for international law, which threaten global peace and human dignity. This appeal was made in a statement signed by Akhator Odigie, General Secretary of ITUC-Africa, and issued in Abuja on Monday.
According to Mr. Odigie, global military expenditure reached a record $2.887 trillion in 2025, representing a 41% increase over the preceding decade. In Africa, military spending rose by 8.5% to $58.2 billion, while resources for development and humanitarian assistance continued to decline. He noted that the world is finding trillions of dollars to prepare for war while withdrawing billions needed to keep people alive. The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) reported that official development assistance fell by 23.1% in 2025, its sharpest annual contraction on record.
Mr. Odigie described the situation as a dangerous global arms race, with governments competing to perfect instruments of destruction while millions struggle to meet basic needs. He cited the example of Sudan, where 15.4 million people urgently require emergency shelter and essential household items, according to a United Nations warning issued on Friday. However, available resources can only allow humanitarian agencies to prioritize assistance for about one in 10 people needing support.
African workers are directly affected by conflicts through rising prices, disrupted energy and fertilizer supplies, job losses, and declining purchasing power. Disruptions to energy and fertilizer shipments through the Strait of Hormuz threaten food security, employment, and household incomes across the continent. The International Labour Organisation (ILO) has warned of wider consequences for jobs, wages, working conditions, and migrant workers.
Mr. Odigie emphasized that workers do not declare wars but are financing their consequences through higher living costs and the diversion of public resources from essential services. He urged world leaders to urgently redirect their priorities towards peace, justice, and shared prosperity. The ITUC-Africa General Secretary stressed that the current trend of increasing military expenditure and declining development assistance is unsustainable and threatens global peace and human dignity.
The ITUC-Africa appeal comes at a time when governments are increasing military commitments, and humanitarian agencies are struggling to provide essential assistance. The situation is further complicated by projections of continued declines in development assistance in 2026. Mr. Odigie called on world leaders to re-evaluate their priorities and allocate resources to promote peace, dialogue, and human development.
The African Regional Organisation of the International Trade Union Confederation will continue to advocate for the rights and interests of African workers. The organization remains committed to promoting peace, dialogue, and human development as essential components of sustainable economic growth and social progress. As the global community grapples with the challenges of conflicts and militarization, the ITUC-Africa appeal serves as a timely reminder of the need for a more balanced approach to global priorities.
Key points
- Global military expenditure reached a record $2.887 trillion in 2025, representing a 41% increase over the preceding decade.
- Official development assistance fell by 23.1% in 2025, its sharpest annual contraction on record.
- African workers are directly affected by conflicts through rising prices, disrupted energy and fertilizer supplies, job losses, and declining purchasing power.
