To contain insecurity within the continent, the African Union (AU) has been advised to operationalise the collective security mechanism, particularly the African Standby Force.
This was one of the resolutions reached at the 17th Security Watch Africa conference and awards themed “Post-COVID-19: Sustaining Security in Africa,” which held in Banjul, The Gambia.
The Nation reports that the two-day event had in attendance policy-makers, public office holders as well as serving and retired heads of security and intelligence agencies in Africa, including Akwa Ibom Governor Udom Emmanuel, Nigeria’s Ambassador to Benin Republic Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai (retd), Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo, former Army’s Chief of Policy and Plans, Lt.-Gen. Lamidi Adeosun (rtd), among others.
A communique released at the end of the event by President, Security Watch Africa Initiave (SWAI), Patrick Agbambu, and Chief Rapporteur, Brig.-Gen. Sani Usman (retd), disclosed that participants highlighted the need for home-grown solutions to the security challenges confronting the continent.
They also emphasised the need for intelligence sharing and synergy among sub-regional bodies on the continent, just as they recommended periodic assembly to assess the African security environment.
Read Also: 10 keys to tackle insecurity, by Afe Babalola
“There is a need for a unified, enabling legal framework, a comprehensive, all encompassing strategy, as well as a strengthened judicial system, to address security challenges across Africa.
“There is a need for regular meetings of the security councils and commissions of subregional bodies such as SADC and ECOWAS, among others.
“African countries should collaborate more and look inward for solutions to address African security challenges. African leaders should adopt an all-of-society approach, particularly engaging the youths, to address evolving security challenges.
“To address maritime security, African Navies should strengthen their collaboration and synergy. African countries should come up with integrated, all encompassing maritime strategies that are in line with continental and regional security architectures.
“African countries should strengthen their research and development efforts through training and adequate funding.
“There is a need for the AU to operationalise the collective security mechanism, particularly the African Standby Force, to address insecurity in Africa.
“There is a need to encourage the media to consider national and victim security in their reportage,” the communique stated.