The first African conference of defense chiefs on non-war military operations is underway in Kampala, Uganda, at the Speke Resort Munyonyo. The event, which runs from October 5 to 8, 2026, has brought together military delegations from over 18 African countries, including the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The DRC delegation consists of senior officers from the DRC Armed Forces (FARDC) dispatched by the military hierarchy.
Lieutenant General Jack Bakasumba, Uganda's inter-army chief of staff, emphasized the need for adaptive and non-combatant military responses to emerging security threats in Africa. He noted that the continent's security environment has significantly evolved, requiring armed forces to adapt to a wide range of non-traditional threats. Bakasumba called for enhanced regional cooperation, information sharing, standardized operational procedures, training, and rapid deployment capabilities.
The conference, organized by Uganda's Ministry of Defense and Veterans Affairs and the Uganda People's Defense Forces (UPDF), brings together defense chiefs, military officials, representatives from the African Union, regional security mechanisms, and commanders of UN and AU peace support missions. Participants are examining military responses to threats beyond conventional conflicts, including transnational terrorism, violent extremism, organized crime, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and climate change.
The conference also focuses on military support to civilian authorities, disaster management, gender integration, and peacekeeping operations. The organizers aim to strengthen cooperation and the capacity of African forces to intervene in non-combat situations through prevention, early warning, information sharing, training, and inter-state coordination. The event seeks to contribute to the development of coordinated African approaches to new security threats and enhanced military cooperation.
The conference agenda includes discussions on protecting critical infrastructure, managing pandemics and health crises, addressing conflicts related to resources, and combating piracy and border insecurity. The participants are also exploring ways to integrate gender considerations into military operations and enhance cooperation between military and civilian authorities.
The Ugandan Ministry of Defense and Veterans Affairs, in collaboration with the UPDF, aims to foster a more coordinated and effective African response to emerging security challenges. The conference provides a platform for African defense chiefs to share experiences, best practices, and strategies for addressing non-traditional security threats.
The conference is expected to conclude on October 8, 2026, with a communique outlining key recommendations and a roadmap for future cooperation among African defense chiefs. The outcome of the conference is anticipated to contribute to enhanced regional security cooperation and more effective military responses to non-traditional security threats in Africa.
Key points
- The conference focuses on non-traditional security threats, including terrorism, cybersecurity, and climate change.
