High-ranking military chiefs from across the continent are concluding a three-day summit in Angola this Thursday, aimed at hammering out fresh strategies to combat the rapid spread of violent extremism and transnational crime.
The 2026 African Chiefs of Defence Conference (ACHOD) in Luanda, brought together defense leaders from over 35 nations alongside international security partners. The timing of the summit is particularly urgent, following warnings from United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) that extremist networks and international drug cartels are exploiting porous borders, effectively turning regions of Africa into a global heartland for terrorism.
Angolan academic and political analyst Dr Joveth de Sousa believes hosting the summit is a major nod to Angola’s growing reputation as a peacemaker in the Great Lakes and Central African regions. He pointed out that while boosting military capability is important, the real test will be getting different countries to genuinely share intelligence and work together without stepping on each other’s sovereignty.
Delegates at the conference focused on moving past standard diplomacy to look at practical ways to modernise African forces. Key items on the agenda included using new technologies like drones, securing vulnerable coastlines, and pushing back against the rise of online disinformation campaigns that are fueling instability on the ground.
–ChannelAfrica–
