Uganda is hosting the inaugural African Chiefs of Defence Forces Conference on Military Operations Other Than War (MOOTW), bringing together defence chiefs, military experts and representatives from more than 18 countries to discuss Africa’s response to emerging and non-traditional security threats.

The conference, being held in Munyonyo, Kampala, also brings together representatives of African Union regional bodies, as well as Force Commanders from United Nations and African Union peace support missions.

Opening the conference, Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) Chief of Joint Staff, Lieutenant General Jack Bakasumba, said Africa’s changing security environment requires militaries to adapt to threats that go beyond conventional warfare.

He identified terrorism, organised crime, cyber warfare, public health emergencies and climate-related crises among the emerging challenges facing African countries. “Across Africa and the wider global arena, the security landscape has evolved away from interstate warfare, shifting instead toward a challenging matrix of interstate conflict and complex non-traditional threats,” Lt Gen Bakasumba said.

He noted that military personnel are increasingly expected to respond to complex crises while facing challenges such as inadequate training, specialised equipment, early-warning systems and clear standard operating procedures.

Lt Gen Bakasumba said the conference was convened in response to the changing security environment and aims to develop practical mechanisms that can improve Africa’s ability to respond to emerging threats.

“It is our regional cooperation that must be enhanced. It is our standard operating procedures that require standardisation. It is our training and equipment procurement that should be streamlined,” he said.

The UPDF Chief of Joint Staff also called for stronger information-sharing mechanisms, improved joint communications and rapidly deployable capabilities to enable African countries to respond more effectively when crises arise.

He said African countries should ensure that discussions at the conference translate into practical measures, including standard operating procedures, training programmes, early-warning systems, joint communications, information sharing and deployable capabilities. “We must establish mechanisms that extend beyond discussions and conferences and can be translated into concrete standard operating procedures, training, early-warning systems, joint communications, information sharing and deployable capabilities,” he said.

Lt Gen Bakasumba further urged African countries to strengthen collective capacity and develop African-led responses to emerging security challenges. “We gather here today with a shared belief that Africa must strengthen its African-led, practical and coordinated responses to these emerging threats,” he said.

He also highlighted the importance of Pan-African cooperation in maintaining peace and security across the continent, commending President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, regional leaders, defence chiefs, Regional Economic Communities and development partners for their contribution to security efforts.

“It is this togetherness, driven by the spirit of Pan-Africanism, that has improved and sustained regional peace and security,” Lt Gen Bakasumba said.

The conference is expected to contribute to strengthening national and regional capacity to respond to Military Operations Other Than War scenarios, while promoting cooperation, partnerships and defence diplomacy among African countries.