Opening Ceremony

In his keynote address, H.E. President Paul KAGAME described the conference as “long overdue” and a pivotal step toward African leadership in its own security. He emphasized that “Africa’s future in matters of peace and security cannot be outsourced”.

H.E. Paul KAGAME outlined three critical pillars for success: Ownership, emphasizing the need for Africans to take responsibility for their own security and to strengthen key institutions such as the African Union; the Governance–Security nexus, highlighting that good governance and security are mutually reinforcing and that without both, progress and trust cannot be achieved; and Cooperation, underscoring the importance of effective and strategic partnerships among African nations, as no country can address security challenges alone in an interconnected world.

He also called for the production and scaling up of African solutions, the alignment of technical expertise with political will, and the translation of peace and progress into tangible benefits for African citizens.

The ISCA Advisory Council Chairperson and Former African Union Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat described Kigali as a symbol of resilience and an appropriate setting for launching this “long-awaited” and “dynamic” platform. He noted the historic need for a dedicated space for African-led reflection and dialogue on peace and security, tailored to Africa’s realities. He called for a platform rooted in the African context, ambition and unity.

In his remarks, the Executive Director, Amb Lt Gen (Rtd) Frank Mushyo Kamanzi emphasized African agency to homegrown solutions to the continent’s unique security challenges. He called for strengthening partnerships and creating opportunities for a prosperous African future.