African militaries must adapt to a changing security environment increasingly shaped by terrorism, organised crime, cyber warfare, public health emergencies, and climate-related crises. This call was made by Uganda’s Chief of Joint Staff, Lt Gen Jack Bakasumba, at the inaugural African Chiefs of Defence Forces Conference on Military Operations Other Than War (MOOTW) in Kampala. The conference brought together defence and military operations experts from over 18 countries, as well as representatives of African Union regional bodies and commanders of United Nations and African Union peace support missions.
Lt Gen Bakasumba emphasized that African countries can no longer rely solely on conventional military responses to address emerging security threats. He called for stronger regional cooperation, information sharing, and joint preparedness to tackle these challenges. According to Bakasumba, the security landscape has evolved away from interstate warfare, shifting instead toward a challenging matrix of interstate conflict and complex non-traditional threats.
The conference aims to explore ways of strengthening national and regional capacity to respond to Military Operations Other Than War scenarios while deepening defence cooperation and diplomacy. Bakasumba urged African countries to move from policy discussions to practical collective action in dealing with emerging security threats. He also commended President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, regional leaders, defence chiefs, Regional Economic Communities, and development partners for their contribution to peace and security efforts on the continent.
Lt Gen Bakasumba highlighted the need for greater standardization of military procedures, joint training, and streamlined procurement of specialized equipment across African countries. He also called for improved information sharing and joint communications, as well as the development of rapidly deployable capabilities that can be activated when emergencies arise. This, he believes, will enable African militaries to respond effectively to crises beyond conventional warfare.
The Chief of Joint Staff emphasized that the conference should produce practical mechanisms that can be applied during crises rather than becoming another forum for discussing familiar security challenges. He urged participants to establish mechanisms that extend beyond discussions and conferences and can be translated into concrete standard operating procedures, training, early-warning systems, joint communications, information sharing, and deployable capabilities.
The conference, the first of its kind on the continent, has brought together defence officials and military operations experts to examine how African militaries can strengthen preparedness and coordination in responding to crises beyond conventional warfare. Lt Gen Bakasumba expressed his appreciation for the contributions of various stakeholders to peace and security efforts in Africa, citing stronger Pan-African cooperation as a key factor in sustaining regional peace and security.
The African Chiefs of Defence Forces Conference on Military Operations Other Than War is expected to produce outcomes that will enhance the capacity of African militaries to respond to emerging security threats. Key outcomes are expected to include practical mechanisms for cooperation, joint preparedness, and response to crises. The conference is a significant step towards strengthening African-led, practical, and coordinated responses to emerging threats.
Key points
- Lt Gen Jack Bakasumba urges African militaries to adapt to emerging security threats.
- The conference aims to strengthen national and regional capacity to respond to Military Operations Other Than War scenarios.
- African militaries need to move from policy discussions to practical collective action in dealing with emerging security threats.
