DHQ Hosts AU Military Leaders to Boost Continental Security
The Defence Headquarters has hosted military leaders from across Africa in Abuja as part of efforts to strengthen cooperation against terrorism, organised crime and other emerging security threats on the continent.
The gathering reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to supporting a stronger African security architecture through closer military collaboration and coordinated peace operations.
The event marked the opening of the induction and orientation programme for members of the Military Staff Committee of the African Union Peace and Security Council.
Speaking at the ceremony on Monday, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, said Africa’s evolving security challenges require greater cooperation among member states.
The CDS, represented by the Director of Search and Rescue at Defence Headquarters, Air Vice Marshal Idi Sani, welcomed delegates to Abuja and expressed appreciation to the African Union Commission for selecting Nigeria to host the strategic capacity-building programme.
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He said the Military Staff Committee, as the principal military advisory body to the AU Peace and Security Council, plays a critical role in providing strategic military advice on conflict prevention, crisis response and peace support operations.
Oluyede noted that terrorism, violent extremism, transnational organised crime, maritime insecurity, cyber threats and humanitarian crises continue to pose serious challenges across Africa, making coordinated continental responses imperative.
Also speaking, the Head of the Peace and Security Council Secretariat of the African Union Commission, Ms Neama Chusi, described the Military Staff Committee as an indispensable organ for integrating military perspectives into Africa’s conflict prevention and peacebuilding efforts.
She urged participants to actively share experiences and strengthen collaboration to improve the committee’s effectiveness.
Chairperson of the Military Staff Committee, Brigadier General Abubakar Conteh, said the continent’s changing security landscape demanded stronger military cooperation and timely professional advice to the Peace and Security Council.
He noted that the two-day programme would equip newly appointed and returning members with a deeper understanding of the committee’s mandate, operational procedures and working methods while fostering closer collaboration among African member states.
By PRNigeria
