African defense chiefs have been meeting in the Kenyan capital Nairobi since Tuesday to outline an approach for strengthened security on the continent.
In the presence of the US Africa command chief Gen Michael Langley, defense officials from 36 countries in Africa are rubbing minds on strategies to improve military cooperation and deal with security threats posed by terrorism and transnational crimes on the continent.
The three-day conference which ends on Thursday is looking at roadmaps for enhanced military cooperation in the areas of intelligence-sharing, joint exercises, coordinated strategies and other forms of security cooperation among African countries and with international partners.
A key theme being explored at the Nairobi conference is the use of emerging technologies in defense strategies of the 21st century with emphasis on cooperation between militaries and civilian entities.
The conference is looking to build on the progress made during last year’s meeting of defense chiefs in Gaborone, Botswana where over 70 multilateral security accords were secured among participating countries.
The presence of Gen Langley at the conference is seen as a demonstration of intent by Washington to enhance its military diplomacy on a continent already witnessing a surge of interest from its old foes Russia and China.
WN/as/APA