African military chiefs meet in Kampala to boost non-combat security cooperation

Military chiefs and senior officers from across Africa convened in Kampala for a four-day conference focused on Military Operations Other Than War (MOOTW). The summit addressed the role of armed forces in non-combat scenarios, such as peacekeeping, disaster response, humanitarian emergencies, and protecting civilians.

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba emphasized the necessity of enhanced coordination and joint efforts among African militaries to manage security and humanitarian challenges. The conference concluded with the signing of a communiqué recommending increased intelligence sharing, joint military exercises, joint training, and coordinated border patrols to bolster continental peace and security.

Delegates from various nations, including Somalia, South Africa, Tanzania, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Burundi, and South Sudan, participated in the discussions. While leaders expressed optimism, some raised practical concerns regarding the implementation of these recommendations across the continent's vast geography. The event also included representatives from the African Union and the United Nations.