Kenya Hosts 20th African Conference of Commandants to Strengthen Military Education

The 20th African Conference of Commandants recently took place in Arusha, United Republic of Tanzania, from November 9 to 11, 2026. The annual conference brought together Commandants of African Command and Staff Colleges to strengthen relationships, share best practices, and advance professional military education. This year's event was attended by Major General Eric Kinuthia, Commandant of the Joint Command and Staff College in Kenya. The conference aimed to address the continent's evolving security needs.

The conference was officially opened by Lieutenant General Salum Haji Othman, Chief of Staff, on behalf of the Chief of Defence Forces of the Tanzania Peoples' Defence Forces. Discussions focused on aligning collaboration among colleges to address emerging security threats in Africa. The event provided a platform for military leaders to share their experiences and expertise in addressing these threats. Key topics included strengthening faculty competence and institutional capacity in Command and Staff Colleges.

During the conference, Major General Stephen Mnkande, Commandant of the Command and Staff College Tanzania, handed over the African Conference of Commandants (ACoC) Chairmanship to Brigadier General Mohamed Alie Kamara, Commandant of the HCSC Sierra Leone. This change in leadership marks a new chapter in the conference's history and presents opportunities for growth and development. Brigadier General Kamara will oversee the organization of future conferences.

The guest of honour, Tanzania's Minister for Defence, Dr. Rhimo Nyansaho, presided over the closing ceremony. In his remarks, he emphasized the importance of collaboration and cooperation among African Command and Staff Colleges in addressing the continent's security challenges. The Minister also commended the organizers for a successful conference and encouraged continued efforts to strengthen military education.

The conference is part of a broader effort to enhance the capacity of African Command and Staff Colleges. This initiative aims to improve the competence of faculty members and institutional capacity, ultimately contributing to more effective military education. By sharing best practices and experiences, military leaders can better address emerging security threats in Africa.

The event was organized with the support of the Ministry of Defence – Kenya, which distributed a press release on behalf of the organizers. The conference demonstrated the commitment of African military leaders to advancing professional military education and cooperation. Future conferences will build on the momentum established in Arusha.

The 20th African Conference of Commandants demonstrated the importance of collaboration and cooperation in addressing Africa's security challenges. Key outcomes included a renewed commitment to strengthening faculty competence and institutional capacity. The conference also provided a platform for military leaders to engage with each other and share their experiences.

Key points

• The conference aimed to address the continent's evolving security needs by strengthening relationships and advancing professional military education among African Command and Staff Colleges.