News Investigators/ The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, says Africa’s strongest defence against terrorism, piracy and emerging security threats lies in strategic collaboration, not isolation.
Musa made the declaration on Wednesday in Abuja at the closing of the inaugural African Chiefs of Defence Staff Summit, which brought together service chiefs from across the continent.
“Our greatest weapon is our unity. Terrorism anywhere in Africa is a threat to peace everywhere in Africa.
“We must harness our collective strength to build a safer and more secure continent,” he said.
Musa noted that the three-day summit adopted a communiqué and signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the International Defence Exhibition 2026 to be hosted in Lagos, Nigeria.
According to him, defence chiefs identified intelligence sharing, joint training, counter-radicalisation, investment in indigenous defence industries, and maritime security as priority areas of cooperation.
He said the summit must not end as a talk shop, urging the defence chiefs to translate the discussions into concrete policies, strategies and joint actions.
“our borders may divide us, but our destiny binds us,” he stated.
He emphasised that porous borders continued to fuel terrorism, trafficking and banditry, stressing the need for integrated security frameworks and coordinated regional responses.
The Nigeria’s defence chief added that the Gulf of Guinea, Indian Ocean and Mediterranean had remain vital trade routes, but also points of exposure.
“They demand stronger naval capacity and partnerships,” he said.
Musa thanked President Bola Tinubu for his support, as well as African leaders for granting their defence chiefs the opportunity to attend.
“A secure Africa is a prosperous Africa, and a prosperous Africa is a beacon to the world,” he concluded.
The summit, themed “Combating Contemporary Threats to Regional Peace and Security in Africa: The Role of Strategic Defence Collaborations,” attracted defence chiefs, past service leaders, experts and partners from across Africa.
The summit was declared opened on Monday by President Tinubu who was represented by Vice-President Kashim Shettima.
NAN
