Nigeria is set to host defence chiefs from 53 African countries, including Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger Republic, at the maiden African Chiefs of Defence Staff Summit scheduled to take place in Abuja from 25 to 27 August.
The summit, according to organisers, aims to promote Africa-led solutions to the continent’s growing security challenges.
Air Vice Marshal Precious Amadi, Chairman of the Planning Committee, disclosed this at a press conference on Wednesday in Abuja, stating that all invited nations have indicated willingness to participate, including those with strained political ties to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
“We don’t get involved in political issues, but I can tell you with all confidence that under the Multinational Joint Task Force, Niger Republic is still participating,” Amadi said. “Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso see a threat to one as a threat to all, and on the military front, we are working together.”
He added that most of the countries had confirmed they would be represented in person at the summit.
Amadi said the platform would provide an opportunity for Chiefs of Defence Staff from across the continent to discuss joint defence mechanisms and strategic collaborations to strengthen security across African nations.
“In view of current realities, it has become imperative to seek African solutions to African problems,” he said. “It is in recognition of this that President Bola Tinubu approved the hosting of this summit by Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters.”
The summit, themed “Combating Contemporary Threats to Regional Peace and Security in Africa: The Role of Strategic Defence Collaborations,” will explore four major thematic areas: collective strategies for African security, coordinated responses to peace and security concerns, integrating the private sector into defence efforts, and establishing homegrown solutions to defence challenges.
Amadi also noted that a defence exhibition showcasing African military capabilities will be held alongside the summit.
Attendees will include foreign partners, senior military officers (retired and serving), African Union and ECOWAS representatives, government officials, and heads of various security agencies.
Also speaking, Mr Dotun Ajayi, Executive Director of the African Business Roundtable and summit consultant, stressed the need for private sector participation in defence matters, describing it as a necessary shift.
“Security challenges can no longer be tackled by military effort alone. Solutions require partnerships between the public and private sectors,” he said.
(NAN)