Rwandan President Paul Kagame has urged African land forces to improve their speed, precision, and coordination in tackling modern security challenges, saying the continent can no longer afford delays or dependence on external interventions when responding to crises.
Kagame was speaking at the second African Land Forces Commanders Symposium, which opened on Tuesday, October 21, in Kigali, Rwanda.
A two-day meeting brought together senior military leaders from 18 African countries and partner states including France, Jordan, and Qatar, to discuss new approaches to peacekeeping, crisis response, and the integration of emerging technologies such as drone warfare.
Held under the theme “Leveraging Land Forces Capabilities for Enhanced Implementation of Peace and Security Strategies,” the symposium focuses on how national armies can modernise operations and strengthen bilateral and multilateral cooperation across the continent.
“Land forces are the first to deploy and the last to leave, speed matters because conditions on the ground evolve rapidly. But speed without accuracy is dangerous, and accuracy without speed is pointless. There has to be a balance between the two,” Kagame said in his opening remarks.
The President noted that Africa’s conflicts are becoming more asymmetric and complex, with armed groups and digital misinformation campaigns increasingly blurring the lines between traditional and non traditional warfare.
He urged African militaries to adapt swiftly to this shifting environment while remaining accountable to the citizens they protect.
“Everything that you do must serve the safety and well being of citizens. The discipline and professionalism you show are either what builds or breaks public trust.”
He added that Africa’s sovereignty now extends beyond physical borders, encompassing the ability to make independent security and policy choices.
“Sovereignty today is not just about borders. It is about our ability to choose partners from a position of strength and align our interests. We cannot expect others to carry the responsibility for Africa’s security,” he said.
Kagame’s remarks come as several African countries deepen regional security cooperation, from the East African Community’s joint operations to Sahel-based counterterrorism efforts. He called on commanders to use the Kigali symposium to exchange experiences and challenge conventional thinking to better prepare for modern conflicts.
Rwanda’s Chief of Staff of the Army, Maj Gen Vincent Nyakarundi, said the forum underscores the need for continental platforms where military leaders can engage directly on emerging threats and build the operational trust required for effective collaboration.
The symposium also featured participation from international partners. Gen Pierre Schill, Chief of Staff of the French Army, praised the gathering as a reflection of growing global respect for African-led security dialogues.
“It is an honour to be in Kigali for this symposium. Beyond our differences, our land forces face similar challenges in operations across uncertain environments. Cooperation and mutual respect are essential if we are to respond effectively,” Schill said.
Schill met with RDF Chief of Defence Forces Gen Mubarakh Muganga on Monday, where both reaffirmed the value of defence cooperation based on equality and shared priorities.
The symposium which will conclude on Wednesday with sessions exploring civil-military relations, operational interoperability, and strategies to integrate emerging technologies into peacekeeping and national defence systems, marking another step toward building a more self-reliant African security architecture.
