Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso Among 54 Countries to Attend African Chiefs of Defence Summit

Despite recent political tensions with the West African regional bloc ECOWAS, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger Republic are among 54 African nations set to participate in the inaugural African Chiefs of Defence Staff Summit, scheduled to be held in Nigeria this August.

The summit, aimed at crafting African-led responses to the continent’s security challenges, will take place from August 25 to 27 in Abuja.

Speaking during a press briefing, the Chairman of the Summit Planning Committee, Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Precious Amadi, confirmed that all invited countries, including Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, have expressed their interest in attending.

“We don’t delve into political issues, but I can confidently say that under the framework of the Multinational Joint Task Force, Niger Republic is still fully engaged, despite the current political strain,” Amadi stated.

“When it comes to military collaboration, Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso are not excluded. We see a threat to one as a threat to all. On the military front, we continue to work together. We’ve formally invited them to the summit, and based on the responses received, most countries have shown willingness to attend in person—not just by sending delegates.”

AVM Amadi described the summit as a critical platform for African Chiefs of Defence Staff to engage in high-level dialogue on collective defence and security frameworks aimed at boosting cooperation and enhancing regional capabilities.

“In light of today’s complex security realities, it has become increasingly clear that Africa must begin to forge its own solutions to its unique challenges,” he said. “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, recognizing this urgency, approved the Defence Headquarters’ proposal to host the maiden edition of this summit.”

The summit, themed “Combating Contemporary Threats to Regional Peace and Security in Africa: The Role of Strategic Defence Collaborations,” will focus on four key thematic areas:

1. Initiating discussions on collective strategies to address African security issues.

2. Facilitating collaborative responses to peace and security challenges.

3. Developing frameworks for private sector involvement in African defence efforts.

4. Creating a roundtable for crafting indigenous solutions to Africa’s defence needs.

The event will also feature a defence exhibition, highlighting Africa’s military capabilities, and will run alongside the summit.

AVM Amadi noted that, in addition to African defence chiefs, the summit will attract foreign partners, senior retired and serving military officers, and high-ranking representatives from the African Union, ECOWAS Commissions, government ministries, and national security agencies.

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