Amina Mohammed to Africa: Take charge of your security destiny now

United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed, has called on African defence leaders to take decisive ownership of the continent’s security challenges during her address at the inaugural African Chiefs of Defence Forum in Abuja on Monday.

Highlighting the escalating threats of violent extremism, cyber warfare, and climate-induced instability, she described the summit as “a pivotal moment for African security collaboration,” emphasizing its role in uniting on-the-ground efforts with strategic policy-making.

Mohammed, a former Nigerian Minister of Environment, painted a stark picture of Africa’s security landscape, stating, “The continent accounts for the majority of global terrorism deaths, with attacks in West Africa’s coastal states surging by 250% in just two years.”

She added, “In the Sahel, 14,000 schools were shuttered by conflict last year, threatening an entire generation’s future.”

Addressing emerging threats, Mohammed warned, “Cyberspace has become a battlefield. Social media now amplifies division at an alarming pace, much like radio did during past atrocities.”

She also raised concerns about artificial intelligence, noting, “While AI can predict food insecurity or detect landmines, its use in life-or-death decisions poses serious risks to human rights and dignity, which must remain under human control.”

Climate change, she stressed, is a significant driver of insecurity.

“The shrinking of Lake Chad has displaced over three million people, with undeniable consequences,” Mohammed said, urging leaders to integrate security with development, human rights, and climate resilience.

She concluded with a rallying call: “Africa will not stand on the sidelines. With nearly 1.5 billion people counting on us, we must harness technology for peace and protect our future.”

Lansana Kouyaté, former Prime Minister of Guinea, echoed Mohammed’s call for collective action, stating, “This historic gathering of defence chiefs from all 54 African nations underscores that without peace, there is no development.”

He highlighted the forum’s significance in tackling terrorism and insecurity, noting Africa’s need to overcome its historical perception as a monolithic entity rather than a diverse continent. Kouyaté also hinted at proposing innovative security financing through public-private partnerships during the forum.

The summit marks a critical step toward unified action, as African leaders confront the multifaceted threats reshaping the continent’s stability. (NAN)