Air chief seeks closer ties among African Air Forces to fight terrorism

The chief of Air staff, Air Marshal Balla Hassan Abubakar, has called for stronger collaboration among African Air Forces in order to fight the growing spate of terrorism on the continent

He said only if they work together that they can comfortably combat the surging insecurity in the region.

Abubakar made this assertion at the opening ceremony of the 4th African Air forces, on Thursday.

SPONSOR AD

The Forum is with the themed: “strengthening collaborations in advanced aerospace technology for enhanced national and regional security”

The Air chief, stated that coming together to work as one will deepen cooperation and drive forward Africa’s collective vision of peace, stability and progress across the skies of African continent.

“We are here today to brainstorm on the prosperity, security and progress across Africa and the North. It is clear that without doubt, Africa is a continent endowed with vibrant cultural heritage and limitless potential, united by the shared aspirations and common challenges of its people.

“As the African proverb wisely puts it, if you want to go fast, go alone, but if you want to go far, then go together. That timeless truth rings louder than ever today, as we stand on that banner of the hope of Africa and Africa’s hope. In an early platform for coastal unity, deepening cooperation, and driving forward our collective vision of peace, stability, and progress across the skies of our beloved continent.

” In today’s rapidly evolving climate environment, the capacity to protect air power, economic producers, sovereigns, logistics, for combat, and performing its message in guiding national security and promoting regional stability. It is important to underscore that at the core of Africa’s effective employment of air power lies the imperative of close-knit partnership, anchored in shared values and strategic interests.

“In this regard, peace is important, not a form of democracy in time, but a widely distributed landscape across the continent. It is volatile, uncertain, complex, and vigorous. Moreover, as threats become increasingly transnational in nature, the urgency to enhance cooperation, innovation, and strategic foresight among the African-American forces are not to be over-emphasized. In view of the continent’s global security imperatives, it is apt that the theme of this year’s forum is friendly collaborations to advance aerospace technologies for enhanced national and regional security” he stated

Also speaking, Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, noted that the 4th Africa Air forces Forum is a veritable ground for cross pollination of ideas saying, ” I am in deep conflict to address this judgment of esteemed Air Force leaders who are shaping the future of air power in Africa and the world.

“Today, we combined to share knowledge, enhance cooperation, and address the evolving security challenges that demanded our collective attention. The presence of Chiefs of Air Forces from over 30 nations here today is more than a ceremonial convergence.

“It underscores the deep and enduring commitment we all share to a collective resolve to promote all the security and stability of our nations and African continent as a whole. More than that, it stands as a powerful testament to the importance of the collective place of trust and collaboration among our Air Forces.

“The theme of this forum, strengthening collaboration in advance of space technologies to enhance national and regional security, is in deep time. It is right at the heart of our current reality, where the contours of our security landscape are that many evolving.”