The Defence Headquarters in Abuja is set to host the maiden African Chiefs of Defence Staff (CDS) Summit from August 25 to 27, with 53 countries, including Mali, Niger Republic, and Burkina Faso, expected to attend. Chairman of the Summit Planning Committee, Air Vice Marshal Precious Amadi, said all countries invited had shown interest in attending in person, despite current political strains with ECOWAS. He clarified that while diplomatic tensions exist, military cooperation remains strong under platforms like the Multinational Joint Task Force.
Themed “Combating Contemporary Threats to Regional Peace and Security in Africa: The Role of Strategic Defence Collaborations,” the summit will focus on African-led approaches to shared security challenges. Discussions will revolve around collective strategies, peacekeeping coordination, integrating the private sector in defence, and creating roundtables for developing homegrown solutions. A defence exhibition will also be held alongside the summit, showcasing Africa’s military capabilities.
Executive Director of the African Business Roundtable, Dotun Ajayi, emphasised the importance of involving the private sector in addressing insecurity. He said national defence is no longer the sole responsibility of the military and called for a robust public-private partnership to strengthen the continent’s security architecture. President Bola Tinubu approved the summit as part of Nigeria’s growing leadership role in promoting regional defence cooperation.
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