Bujumbura hosts African Union defense and security session

Bujumbura is hosting the 18th ordinary session of the Specialized Technical Committee on Defense, Safety, and Security (CTSDSS) from September 15 to 18, 2026. This African Union technical organ advises the Conference of Heads of State and Government and the Peace and Security Council on continental peace and security matters.

Brigadier General Gaspard Baratuza, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, noted that Burundi is only the second country to host this continental event, following Ethiopia. The session includes preparatory expert meetings, a meeting for defense and security chiefs, and a final session for ministers. Forty-three countries have confirmed participation, alongside representatives from regional economic communities such as SADC, ECCAS, and the East African Standby Force.

In Mali, Biramou Keïta, a former Mission Officer at the Ministry of Defense and Veterans, has passed away following a sudden illness. Keïta was a close associate of the late Army General Sadio Camara and was recognized for his role in national defense strategy and international military relations. His funeral is scheduled for September 15, 2026, in Boulkassoumbougou.