Ruto urges collaboration to fix Africa's insecurity challenges

President William Ruto is welcomed by General Charles Kahariri, the Chief of Defence Forces of Kenya, and General Michael Langley, the combatant commander of the United States Africa Command, along with other commanders, during the official opening of a three-day African Chiefs of Defence Conference in Nairobi on May 28, 2025. [Benard Orwongo,Standard]

President William Ruto has issued a strong call for African unity and partnerships to tackle the continent's escalating security challenges, emphasizing the critical need for "Africa-led solutions."

Speaking at the opening of the second African Chiefs of Defence Conference (ACHOD25) in Nairobi, Ruto declared that true security requires a continental ambition and collaborative execution.

Ruto stressed the interconnected nature of Africa's safety, warning that instability in one nation or region creates damaging ripple effects across borders, harming livelihoods, economies, and development.

"When one country or region falters, the ripple effects transcend borders," he stated.

He argued that for Africa to thrive, unity must be deepened from a diplomatic ideal into a practical resilience strategy. Central to this approach, he said, are strengthened defence partnerships, shared doctrines, strategic alignment, and championing African-led solutions.

The President said Kenya remains firmly committed to the cause of regional peace and stability and envisions a future in which African states stand together in mutual defence of their sovereignty and values, where their military cooperation is not reactive, but proactive and strategic.

"In this regard, we will continue working with our partners, bilaterally, regionally, and multilaterally, to build a defence architecture that is robust, credible, and enduring. By strengthening our collective security mechanisms and sustaining unity of effort, we can overcome the challenges that stand in the way of our collective progress," he said.

Defence Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya said the conference happens at the backdrop of a global security environment that is undergoing profound shifts.

"Strategic competition, evolving technologies, climate-induced fragility and transnational threats are really redrawing the boundaries of national and regional security. These dynamics demand that we recalibrate our defence postures, not just for defence and response, but also for foresight, resilience and constructive engagement," said Tuya.

United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) Commander General Michael Langley echoed President Ruto's calls for unity.

"First, we cannot address the growing challenges alone. As I said earlier, threats aren't constrained by boundaries. On top of that, threats are changing in nature. We are seeing threats from displaced persons, economic hardship, local clan conflicts, even all-out war like we are seeing in Sudan," said Langley.

Chief of Defence Forces Gen Charles Kahariri said this year's conference convenes when the regional and global security environment is becoming increasingly volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous.

"Today, our militaries have to contend with both traditional and non-traditional threats which are exacerbated by proliferation of technology and the negative effects of climate change," said Gen Kahariri.