Defence Chief Seeks Stronger African Military Cooperation Against Insecurity
By Anne Osemekeh, Abuja
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Oluyede, has called for stronger military collaboration among African nations to tackle the continent’s growing security challenges.
The Defense Chief made the call on Monday in Abuja during the hosting of members of the African Union (AU) Military Staff Committee (MSC), by the Defence Headquarters (DHQ).
The two-day induction and orientation programme which commenced on Monday, brings together military representatives from member states of the AU Peace and Security Council (PSC) to enhance collective responses to terrorism, violent extremism, transnational organised crime, maritime insecurity, cyber threats and humanitarian crises.
TheFact Daily notes that the meeting comes at a time when African governments are grappling with worsening insecurity across several regions, underscoring growing calls for stronger continental cooperation in peacekeeping, conflict prevention and regional security management.
Represented by the Director of Search and Rescue at Defence Headquarters, Air Vice Marshal Idi Sani, the CDS said Africa’s increasingly complex security environment demands coordinated military action and stronger institutional cooperation among member states. He described the AU Military Staff Committee as the principal military advisory body to the Peace and Security Council, responsible for providing strategic military assessments and professional advice to support conflict prevention, crisis management and peace support operations across the continent.
Oluyede thanked the African Union Commission for selecting Nigeria to host the strategic capacity-building programme, describing the decision as a recognition of the country’s commitment to promoting peace, security and stability across Africa.
Also speaking, the Head of the Peace and Security Council Secretariat of the African Union Commission, Neama Chusi, described the Military Staff Committee as a critical institution within the AU peace and security framework, noting that it remains the only subsidiary organ established under the PSC Protocol. She urged participants to exchange operational experiences, deepen collaboration and strengthen the committee’s capacity to address emerging security threats.
Chairperson of the Military Staff Committee, Brigadier General Abubakar Conteh, said the continent’s evolving security landscape—including terrorism, unconstitutional changes of government, organised crime, climate-related security risks and cyber threats—has heightened the importance of the committee’s advisory role. He said the induction programme would strengthen institutional knowledge, improve coordination and equip members to provide timely strategic military advice to the AU Peace and Security Council.
The two-day programme features technical presentations, policy discussions, practical exercises and experience-sharing sessions designed to familiarise newly appointed and returning members with the committee’s mandate, operational procedures and working methods while fostering greater collaboration among participating countries.
