Lt Gen Zyeele Joins African Defence Chiefs at Landmark Abuja Security Summit
Zambia Army Commander, Lieutenant General Geoffrey Choongo Zyeele, is among Africa’s top military leaders attending the inaugural African Chiefs of Defence Staff Summit in Abuja, Nigeria.
Convened by the Federal Government of Nigeria, the summit marks a defining moment in the continent’s quest to strengthen collective security in the face of mounting threats, including terrorism, armed conflict, organised crime, and cyber warfare.
Held under the theme “Combating Contemporary Threats to Regional Peace and Security in Africa: The Role of Strategic Defence Collaborations,” the gathering seeks to build a unified African security strategy.
Opening the summit, Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in a speech delivered by Vice President Kashim Shettima, stressed that Africa cannot confront insecurity in isolation. He called for harmonised doctrines, joint training, and intelligence-sharing across defence forces, while also urging African nations to become innovators in security technology rather than relying on external solutions.
The event drew high-level participation from Nigeria’s Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Muhammed Mattawale, United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Ms Amina Muhammed, Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff General Christopher Musa, and ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security Dr Abdel-Fatau Musah. All reiterated the need for a Pan-African approach, with calls for the establishment of an African High Command.
Professor Patrick Loch Otieno Lumumba delivered the keynote address at the first plenary session on border management and security.
Lt Gen Zyeele welcomed the summit’s focus on transnational crimes, illegal mining, and border security, issues he described as increasingly central to continental defence. He highlighted Zambia’s proactive measures in tackling illegal immigration and mining, warning that unchecked activities risk destabilising nations.
He further noted that effective border management now requires a new approach, blending militarism with artificial intelligence. He cautioned that the absence of political will and investment in such technologies remains a major dilemma for commanders.
“The state of any military,” he reminded delegates, “is ultimately the state of a nation.”
The summit, which runs from 24 to 28 August 2025, is expected to conclude with a framework for joint operations and strategic planning, reinforcing Africa’s determination to build a resilient and agile defence architecture capable of confronting modern security challenges.
