Kenyan President William Ruto has called for the establishment of a robust and credible African defence architecture, asserting that the continent’s stability is critical to sustainable development and economic transformation.
Speaking during the 2025 African Chiefs of Defence Conference held in Nairobi, President Ruto emphasized the need for deeper regional and continental cooperation to confront persistent security threats ranging from terrorism and insurgencies to transnational crime and political instability.
“Africa’s stability is essential to our collective development,” Ruto said in a post on his official X account.
“We will work with partners to build a robust, credible and enduring defence architecture that will ensure Africa overcomes the challenges that slow its progress.”
The conference brought together top military leaders from across Africa, as well as international partners, to deliberate on ways to strengthen peace and security frameworks on the continent.
Key themes included joint military operations, intelligence-sharing, counterterrorism, and the role of national armed forces in peacekeeping and disaster response.
Ruto’s remarks come at a time when various African regions continue to face acute security challenges.
The Sahel is battling violent extremism, the Horn of Africa is grappling with cross-border conflicts and fragile governance, and parts of Central and East Africa remain volatile due to rebel activity and political unrest.
Kenya has positioned itself as a regional security anchor, contributing troops to African Union and United Nations missions and hosting several high-level forums on peace and stability.
Under Ruto’s leadership, Kenya has also sought to deepen strategic ties with both African neighbours and global powers to enhance defence capabilities.
Experts say Africa’s fragmented security systems and limited interoperability between national armies have weakened the continent’s ability to respond swiftly to emerging threats.
There have been growing calls for the operationalization of the African Standby Force (ASF) and greater investment in indigenous defence technologies.
During the conference, Ruto underscored the importance of aligning national defence policies with the African Union’s peace and security agenda, especially the Silencing the Guns initiative, which aims to end armed conflicts in Africa by 2030.
“A stable, secure Africa is not just a necessity for Africans; it is in the interest of the entire global community,” Ruto said.
The Nairobi conference concluded with a joint communiqué committing African defence chiefs to enhance coordination, invest in youth-focused deradicalization programs, and promote civil-military cooperation in peacebuilding efforts.
As geopolitical tensions intensify globally, Africa’s security strategy is increasingly seen as a pillar for not only safeguarding the continent’s future but also shaping its role on the international stage.