African Defence Chiefs Unite to Tackle Terrorism and Insecurity
The inaugural African Chiefs of Defence Staff Summit has concluded in Abuja, Nigeria, with thirty-seven Defence Chiefs urging stronger continental cooperation to address rising insecurity and terrorism across Africa.
The six-day gathering brought together senior military leaders to deliberate on border management, regional security, strategic defence cooperation, artificial intelligence in security, public-private partnerships in defence resourcing, and maritime threats.
In their communiqué, the Defence Chiefs hifghlighted that Africa’s future must transcend the colonial borders that continue to define its states. They criticised the inherited economic and technological systems, describing them as inadequate for the continent’s development. Instead, they advocated for the creation of home-grown infrastructure and innovation tailored to Africa’s unique challenges.
A key recommendation was the enhancement of defence cooperation, with the Chiefs urging African nations to coordinate joint operations and strengthen military ties. On border management, they called for the adoption of “smart borders”, incorporating intelligent systems to facilitate free movement while curbing transnational crimes.
The summit also proposed designating border areas as hubs for socio-economic development, coupled with greater community involvement in security management.
To counter terrorism, participants recommended the establishment of early warning systems, robust capacity-building initiatives, and efforts to address root causes such as poverty and weak governance. The summit further advised the creation of a continental framework for the ethical use of artificial intelligence in security, with emphasis on talent development and joint research.
Recommendations also included mobilising African Development Bank resources to finance military bases, training centres, surveillance drones and logistics. The Chiefs urged stronger legal frameworks and resource-sharing arrangements to address maritime threats such as piracy, illegal fishing and smuggling.
Commander of the Zambia Army, Lieutenant General Geoffrey Choongo Zyeele, praised the summit as a milestone in fostering African unity against insecurity. He stressed that no single nation could manage the continent’s complex security challenges in isolation.
The summit concluded with a unanimous decision to institutionalise the forum as an annual event, with details of the 2026 edition expected to be announced in due course.
