Nigeria has called for stronger continental security cooperation, intelligence sharing and interoperability among African armed forces as terrorism, transnational organised crime and technology-driven threats increasingly cross national borders.
The Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Muhammed Matawalle, made the call while delivering Nigeria’s address at the 18th Ordinary Session of the Specialised Technical Committee on Defence, Safety and Security and the 21st Ordinary Meeting of African Chiefs of Defence Staff and Heads of Safety and Security in Bujumbura, Burundi, on Saturday.
Matawalle said the continent’s security challenges had become increasingly interconnected, making collective action essential to addressing threats ranging from terrorism and violent extremism to trafficking, piracy, cyber threats, unconstitutional changes of government and communal conflicts.
“Terrorism and violent extremism, transnational organised crime, trafficking in persons and arms, piracy, cyber threats, unconstitutional changes of government and communal conflicts continue to test our collective resolve. These threats are not confined by national borders. Consequently, no single country can effectively address them in isolation,” he stated.
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The minister called for stronger cooperation among the African Union, Regional Economic Communities and member states, alongside enhanced intelligence sharing, joint and multinational operations and sustained political commitment to the African Peace and Security Architecture and African Standby Force.
He noted that the results of joint operations had demonstrated that coordinated African action, supported by intelligence sharing and operational cooperation, could significantly degrade terrorist and criminal networks.
Matawalle also highlighted the changing technological dimension of security threats, citing the use of drones, artificial intelligence and cyber capabilities for recruitment, radicalisation, financial crime and other illicit activities.
“Africa must invest in technological innovation, research and development, intelligence capabilities and human capital, while ensuring that technology is employed responsibly and in accordance with international law,” he emphasised.
The minister further argued that military responses must be accompanied by measures addressing the underlying conditions that contribute to insecurity, including poverty, unemployment, weak institutions, limited access to education and social services, climate pressures and inadequate economic opportunities.
“Our approach to security must therefore be comprehensive. Military and security responses must be complemented by effective governance, youth empowerment, education, economic development, strengthened justice systems and social inclusion,” Matawalle explained.
Reaffirming Nigeria’s position on continental security, the minister said the country remained committed to the principle of African solutions to African problems and would continue contributing to regional and continental peace support operations, counter-terrorism initiatives and capacity-building programmes.
Matawalle commended the leadership of the African Union and the Specialised Technical Committee on Defence, Safety and Security for their contributions to peace, security and stability across the continent.
The meeting brought together Defence Ministers, Chiefs of Defence Staff and Heads of Safety and Security from African Union member states to consider practical and sustainable measures for responding to Africa’s evolving security challenges.
