Former Minister of External Affairs and Nigeria’s ex-Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, has warned that more than 1,000 terrorist and insurgent groups are currently active across the African continent.
Gambari issued the warning on Monday in Abuja while delivering a goodwill message at the African Chiefs of Defence Staff Summit 2025, themed: “Combating Contemporary Threats to Regional Peace and Security in Africa: The Role of Strategic Defence Collaboration.”
The summit drew representatives from 36 of Africa’s 54 countries.
According to Gambari, Africa cannot achieve regional or continental peace without first securing individual nations.
He emphasised the need for countries to strengthen their defence industries and develop indigenous technologies to combat evolving security threats.
“We have to first secure our countries before we can secure our regions and then the continent,” he said.
“Securing Nigeria has placed the country at the forefront of regional and continental security. But the reality remains: there are over 1,000 insurgency groups operating in Africa.”
He urged African leaders to design a home-grown security architecture that prioritises human security and reduces dependence on external interventions.
Also speaking, the President of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Omar Touray, disclosed that the Sahel region accounted for 51 per cent of all terrorism-related deaths in 2024.
Touray, represented by the ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Abdel-Fatau Musah, appealed to the United Nations to fund at least 75 per cent of African-led operations against terrorism.
Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, also underscored the need for continental unity in tackling insecurity, warning that terrorism and other transnational crimes defy borders.
“The enemy is within,” Musa said. “We must be the architects of our own defence and security. The Nigerian Armed Forces stand ready to collaborate with their counterparts across Africa to defeat terrorism and safeguard our people.”
The summit continues in Abuja with defence chiefs expected to draft a joint framework for stronger regional cooperation against insurgency, banditry and other security threats.
'
'Do you want to share a story with us? Do you want to advertise with us? Do you need publicity for a product, service, or event? Contact us on WhatsApp +2348183319097 Email: platformtimes@gmail.com
We are committed to impactful investigative journalism for human interest and social justice. Your donation will help us tell more stories. Kindly donate any amount HERE
