Military Leaders Discuss Strategies to Enhance Africa’s Peace, Security

KIGALI, Xinhua: Rwandan President Paul Kagame on Tuesday called for stronger partnerships and a coordination mechanism to address Africa’s ongoing conflicts.

He made the remarks while opening the Land Forces Commanders Symposium in Kigali, the Rwandan capital, which was convened to discuss strategies for enhancing peace and security on the continent. The symposium brought together military leaders, defense experts, and key stakeholders from over 30 African countries and beyond.

“The global security landscape today is marked by unpredictability… In these complex situations, land forces are vital. You are the first to deploy and the last to leave. Your swiftness and precision make all the difference between success and failure,” Kagame said.

He decried the “excessive bureaucracy” and caveats sometimes imposed from afar, which he said often limit the ability of the field commanders to respond effectively.

“Speed matters because conditions on the ground evolve rapidly, and delays are costly. The dilemma, however, is that speed without accuracy is dangerous, and accuracy without speed is pointless. There has to be a balance between the two,” he said.

Noting that Africa is witnessing the highest number of active conflicts in the world, Kagame said addressing it requires strong continental partnerships and a coordination mechanism.

He added that civil-military cooperation is equally important, as land forces operate close to citizens, and therefore everything they do must serve citizens’ safety and well-being.

Over the two-day course of the symposium, discussions will focus on the theme: “Leveraging Land Forces Capabilities for Enhanced Implementation of Peace and Security Strategies.”