African Union leaders have demanded prompt action to prevent conflicts from escalating, as insecurity continues to spread across the continent.

AU Chairperson Évariste Ndayishimiye said Africa has the mechanisms to tackle conflict; however, delays in intervention and failure to address root causes are undermining peace efforts.

Africa has no shortage of mechanisms to prevent and resolve conflicts.

But AU leaders stated that the real challenge is turning early warnings into swift action while addressing the conditions that continue to fuel instability.

Ndayishimiye explained that institutions such as the Peace and Security Council, Continental Early Warning System, Panel of the Wise, African Standby Force, and Peace Fund give the continent the tools to confront insecurity.

Ndayishimiye called for early warning systems to trigger rapid intervention before crises spiral into violence.

He highlighted that the Peace and Security Council must play a more active and preventive role, supported by strategic foresight and coordination between Africa's peace, security, and governance structures.

He warned that conflict prevention cannot stop at containing violence.

Poverty, unequal distribution of resources, and poor public administration are conditions identified as contributing factors to deepening vulnerability and making communities susceptible to mobilisation for violence.

AU Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf also called for the enforcement of the AU's position against unconstitutional changes of government to be non-negotiable, alongside dialogue and support for countries facing political and security crises.

The African leaders, including President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, convened the 21st extraordinary summit in Luanda, Angola, where they assessed the effectiveness of the existing peace and security mechanisms.