Ethiopia Hosts First Self-Organized Africa Defense Ministers’ Conference in Addis Ababa

ADDIS ABABA: The first Africa Defense Ministers' Conference, hosted independently by Ethiopia, commenced this week at the Adwa Victory Memorial Museum under the theme "Africa: United in Peace, Strong in Security." The conference aims to enhance military cooperation and bolster continental security by addressing global and regional threats, including terrorism.According to Ethiopian News Agency, Ethiopia's Minister of Defense, Engineer Aisha Mohammed, emphasized the significance of collaboration among African defense forces in shaping the continent's future defense strategies. During her address at the conference, Minister Mohammed expressed pride in Ethiopia's role in fostering a unified approach to security challenges across Africa. She highlighted that the meeting serves as a platform for African nations to strengthen partnerships and tackle issues such as terrorism, organized crime, and cyber threats.The conference has attracted a wide array of participants, including African defense ministers, senior military officers, military attachés based in Addis Ababa, and researchers involved in military affairs. Over the next three days, discussions will focus on enhancing the continent's security landscape and exploring new opportunities for cooperation.Minister Mohammed also pointed out the complex security environment that Africa faces today, which includes political instability and economic hardships. However, she noted that these challenges present opportunities to enhance cooperation, share knowledge, and build resilience.Additionally, Babatunde Abayomi Taiwo, the Head of Political Affairs/Counter Terrorism Focal Point in the African Union, remarked on the conference's timely occurrence and its role in promoting a collaborative approach to peace and security across the continent. He underscored the importance of a threat-led approach in maintaining adaptable and agile armed forces in Africa, with a focus on technological advancements such as artificial intelligence in defense systems.