KAIPTC Commandant calls for fundamental shift in African security approach

The Acting Commandant of the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC), Air Commodore David Anetey Akrong, has emphasised the need for a fundamental shift in Africa’s security approach.

He asserted that prioritising homegrown, inclusive, and youth-centred strategies for peace and stability is essential for promoting the continent’s economic advancement.

Air Commodore Akrong stressed that while training, education, policy advocacy, and engagements are vital, they are insufficient if governments fail to address the fundamental needs of their people, particularly the youth.

“African governments must provide hope, livelihoods, and inclusion, which are a critical role of state intervention in preventing the radicalisation of young people into terrorism organisations,” the Commandant stated.

He made these remarks during a panel discussion on “Rethinking Counterterrorism and Defence Policies in Africa: From Vision to Capacity”, at the recently concluded African Peace and Security Annual Conference (APSACO 2025), held in Rabat, Morocco.

Event

The event, themed “Africa Amid Global Uncertainties,” brought together a diverse group of policymakers, security experts, scholars, and civil society organisations to discuss Africa’s role in an increasingly multipolar world.

The ninth edition of the conference, organised by the Policy Center for the New South, a Morocco-based think tank, re-evaluated the peace and security strategies of African nations.

The organisers noted that global uncertainties are reshaping traditional power dynamics and the nature of conflicts across the globe.

Discussions also explored the continent’s response to shifting United States (US) policies, the competition for influence among emerging and traditional powers, the resilience of African peace and security mechanisms, and the effectiveness of defence policies.

The conference also addressed Africa’s ability to frame an independent intellectual and geopolitical narrative to reposition itself in an evolving global order.

A central theme from the event was the need for Africa to move from being a bystander to a key player in its own security future.

Youth empowerment

Air Commodore Akrong highlighted that, with over 60 percent of Africa’s population under 25, integrating young people into security discussions has become even more crucial.

He noted that radicalisation flourishes when youth are marginalised and socio-economic despair is rampant.

“The youth are our largest demographic and are easily radicalised, hence the need for governments to economically empower them and rebuild their trust in the continent’s future,” he stated.

He further explained that Africa’s defence policies often struggle to bridge the gap between ambitious visions and effective implementation, allowing terrorist networks to continue exploiting local grievances and porous borders across the continent.

Air Commodore Akrong argued that solutions must extend beyond the battlefield, advocating for changed narratives and collaborative efforts that include countering disinformation, supporting governance reforms, and fostering cross-border cooperation.

The KAIPTC, he said, is at the forefront of this new approach, with its training programmes, research, and advocacy prioritising areas like maritime security, violent extremism, and gender and youth-inclusive peacebuilding.

“This, we believe, demonstrates how African institutions can effectively lead responses to the continent’s challenges,” the Commandant highlighted.

Air Commodore Akrong assured the conference that KAIPTC would continue to offer valuable experience and vision at this critical juncture, stressing, “We believe our security starts with us, hence the need to continue talking across, amongst each other, in order to address the threats that evolve daily,” Air Commodore Akrong said.