Faced with asymmetric threats such as terrorism, piracy, cyberattacks and transnational crime, African states are seeing their regular armed forces confronted by non-state actors. This represents a major challenge, particularly in the Sahel, where armed groups exploit porous borders, as well as institutional and socio-economic vulnerabilities.
African states face a major security challenge with the emergence of asymmetric threats, in which regular armies confront non-state actors receiving external support. These hybrid forms of conflict include terrorism, insurgencies, piracy, transnational crime, cyberattacks, cross-border networks, as well as arms and drug trafficking. The Sahel region provides a striking example: highly mobile armed groups exploit porous borders, socio-economic vulnerabilities and weak institutions.
“We need stability on this continent, and the conference reaffirmed its commitment to silencing the guns and supporting reforms. Without these reforms, it will be very difficult to achieve our peace, security and economic objectives. The 2024–2028 five-year plan of Agenda 2063 has been launched, and we are aiming for better results within the set timeframe.”
Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission – Djibouti
Security threats, including wars, terrorism and crime, cost Africa approximately USD 18 billion annually in direct GDP losses, according to African Union estimates. This figure could reach hundreds of billions of dollars when taking into account slower economic growth, infrastructure destruction and the diversion of social spending. Experts say there is an urgent need to curb arms flows into Africa in order to protect the continent’s human and economic development.
“We must not remain trapped in global geopolitics, that is, power politics, or, as I sometimes say, the geopolitics of organizations. If we remain in power politics or organizational geopolitics, we will never find a solution for the African continent. Why? Because power politics should simply be a form of support for us. We will continue repeating the same thing. First and foremost, we must truly stand together as a united bloc to fight terrorism, rather than calling on someone else to come and do the job for us. That is the real problem facing the African continent.”
Mady Ibrahim Kanté, Lecturer and Researcher – Mali
The African Union already has a peace and security architecture that includes the Peace and Security Council, the Continental Early Warning System and the African Standby Force. These mechanisms demonstrate the institution’s determination to develop collective capacity for conflict prevention and crisis management. The creation of a genuine continental security pact first and foremost requires a shared political will. African states must strengthen cooperation and recognize that the security of one state is closely linked to that of its neighbours.
“The key lies in our collective commitment. We need to strengthen cooperation with the centres operating under memoranda of understanding with the African Union, which are essential in the fight against terrorism. Through the PSC Sub-Committee on Counter-Terrorism, we must mobilize these structures. Our priority is to enhance the role of this sub-committee in coordinating Africa’s response to terrorism.”
Neema Chusi, Secretariat of the African Union Peace and Security Council – Nigeria
Faced with asymmetric and transnational threats, national action alone is no longer sufficient in Africa. The African Union provides an appropriate framework for coordinating intelligence, military cooperation, border management, cybersecurity and conflict prevention. However, a continental security pact requires genuine political commitment, adequate resources and stronger coordination to reinforce strategic autonomy and ensure peace across the continent
