President Kagame opens African land forces commanders’ summit in Kigali

In the morning of October 21, Rwandan President Paul Kagame officially opened the International Conference of African Land Forces Commanders at Intare Arena in Kigali. The high-level summit brings together top army commanders and defense chiefs from more than 30 African nations and beyond to deliberate on collective strategies for advancing peace, stability, and security across Africa.

This two day summit serves as one of the continent’s most strategic defense dialogues, convening army chiefs, military experts, and international partners under one roof.

The theme for this year’s meeting, “Leveraging the Capabilities of Land Forces to Advance Peace and Security Efforts,” underscores the central role of ground troops in addressing Africa’s evolving security challenges  from terrorism and insurgency to cyber threats and peacekeeping efficiency.

President Kagame, who also serves as Commander-in-Chief of the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF), opened the conference with a powerful message emphasizing collaboration, discipline, and adaptability as key principles for continental peace.

Advertisement

In his opening address, Kagame reminded attendees that Africa’s security challenges are interconnected, urging nations to strengthen joint defense mechanisms instead of acting in isolation.

“Sustainable peace does not come by chance; it is the result of consistent preparedness, coordination, and shared responsibility,” Kagame stated.

He further commended the ongoing cooperation among African armies in joint missions such as the African Union peacekeeping operations, noting that Rwanda’s own experience in post-conflict reconstruction offers a valuable case study for the continent.

Rwanda has become a model for strategic defense modernization and peacekeeping excellence.
Over the past decade, the country has expanded its military diplomacy, deploying troops in Central Africa, Mozambique, and South Sudan.

Advertisement

Analysts view this summit as an affirmation of Rwanda’s leadership role in shaping Africa’s defense and peace frameworks. Hosting such a high-level gathering not only cements Kigali’s reputation as a center for dialogue and security innovation, but also signals Rwanda’s commitment to African-led solutions.

This summit arrives at a critical time when Africa faces complex and hybrid security threats from regional insurgencies to foreign interference and misinformation. The conference provides a platform to align national military strategies, share intelligence, and promote collective defense principles that transcend borders.

By hosting this meeting, Rwanda demonstrates that stability and progress begin with coordinated leadership  a message that resonates well beyond Africa’s borders.

Advertisement