The African Defense Ministers' Conference took place on October 15, 2024, at the Adwa Memorial Museum in Addis Ababa. The event was organized and hosted by the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and aimed to address contemporary security challenges facing Africa.
The conference was inaugurated by Deputy Prime Minister Temesgen Tiruneh. Discussions focused on finding actionable solutions to security threats, enhancing cooperation among African defense forces, and reassessing Africa's position in the global order.
HE Ambassador Abdel-Fatau Musah (PhD), Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security of ECOWAS, represented the ECOWAS President during a panel discussion titled "Contemporary Security Challenges in Africa." In his address, Ambassador Musah outlined several factors shaping West Africa's security environment. He noted issues such as "erosion of democratic values and unconstitutional change of government," along with terrorism, youth bulge, illegal fishing, and dependence on raw material exports.
Ambassador Musah also emphasized the regional nature of terrorism and called upon AES countries to collaborate with ongoing regional efforts. This includes activating the ECOWAS Counter-Terrorism Force and supporting initiatives like the Accra Initiative.
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