The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC)-Africa has called for world peace in the new year, describing 2026 as a crucial period for renewal across the continent.
It stated that 2026 is “the year to reset for humanism, peace, multilateralism, socioeconomic inclusion, and furthering the quest for Africa’s shared development.”
Reflecting on the past year, the Secretary-General of ITUC-Africa, Comrade Joel Odigie, said workers demonstrated great resilience despite the numerous challenges they faced.
“As we enter 2026, the African Regional Organisation of the International Trade Union Confederation reflects on 2025 as a challenging year for African workers, marked by social, economic, and political pressures,” Odigie said.
“Conflict, democratic regression, debt stress, and shrinking civic space weighed heavily on working people.
“Despite these challenges, African workers are convinced that 2026 should be dedicated to resetting for humanism, peace, multilateralism, and socioeconomic inclusion.”
According to the African workers’ body, its New Year message is anchored on renewal and hope.
“Across the continent, from Sudan to the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, and in communities facing insecurity in Nigeria and elsewhere, African workers have continued to demonstrate remarkable courage, resilience, and solidarity, sustaining societies and keeping the promise of a better future alive.”
Odigie added: “ITUC-Africa commends workers everywhere for their dedication and courage.
“We also recognise and commend African governments that govern in the public interest, managing national resources responsibly, investing in people, and advancing genuine economic emancipation.”
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The Confederation said its priorities for 2026 include decent jobs and social protection for all, especially young people, women, and persons with disabilities, strong public services, and public pathways to engineer a Just Transition that places people before profit.
It believes these actions will help drive humanism and socioeconomic inclusion.
“Also, we will continue to advocate for and demand better utilisation of social dialogue to resolve disputes and prioritise disarmament to ensure peace everywhere,” the statement said.
“To further Africa’s shared development, we urge African governments to tackle illicit financial flows, advance progressive taxation, deepen regional integration, and ensure free mobility under the AfCFTA.
“African governments must tame the appetite for loan contraction that leads to debt traps and strengthen domestic, inclusive debt management arrangements.
“Further, we must remain vigilant against foreign manipulation, interference, and bullying aimed at keeping our continent as perpetual sites of extraction devoid of value addition.
“Equally, in a time of shifting geopolitics, particularly in the Global North, African unity is imperative. Africa must speak with one voice and strengthen its economic independence,” the ITUC-Africa scribe said.
Comrade Odigie further called on African workers and governments alike to choose dialogue, inclusion, and cooperation in resolving issues across the continent.