The Chief of Defence Staff of the Rwanda Defence Force, General MK Mubarakh, has urged African military colleges to enhance collaboration, foster innovation, and integrate technology to enable commanders to effectively address security challenges across the continent.
He made the remarks while officially closing the 19th African Conference of Commandants (ACoC) of African Command and Staff Colleges, held in Kigali, Rwanda, under the theme “The Future of African Military Training and Education: Bridging the Digital Divide.”
The three-day conference brought together leaders in military education from across the continent, addressing a range of topics aimed at strengthening cooperation among African Command and Staff Colleges. It explored mechanisms and best practices for enhancing harmonisation and standardisation across these institutions, as well as establishing frameworks for exchange programmes involving students and directing staff, all in pursuit of ACoC’s mission and objectives.
In his closing address to delegates from 24 African countries, including representatives of the African Union, Gen Mubarakh emphasised that “the future of Africa’s military education lies in collaboration, innovation, and technology integration to enhance interoperability and leadership in addressing continental security challenges.”
He noted that the three days of discussions had demonstrated the importance of integrating technology into training systems, promoting interoperability, and nurturing leaders capable of commanding multinational joint forces to respond effectively to Africa’s evolving security challenges within the continent’s peace and security framework.
Gen Mubarakh urged delegates to ensure that the conference’s outcomes, its adopted guidelines, frameworks, and resolutions are translated into concrete actions within their respective institutions.
The conference concluded with the Republic of Rwanda handing over the ACoC Chairpersonship to the United Republic of Tanzania after one year of exercising leadership. In his takeover remarks, Maj Gen Stephen Mnkande, the Commandant of the Tanzania People’s Defence Force Command and Staff College pledged to uphold ACoC’s high standards and to promote knowledge sharing and collaboration throughout his tenure.
Reflecting on Rwanda’s tenure, Brigadier General Andrew Nyamvumba, Commandant of the RDF Command and Staff College, stated that it had been guided by a simple yet vital objective: to strengthen collaboration among institutions and promote the harmonisation of training and military doctrines. “We have worked diligently to foster dialogue and create platforms for sharing best practices, understanding that our shared security challenges require shared solutions and an interoperable African Standby Force,” he said.
Following the closing ceremony, participants of the African Conference of Commandants visited the Kigali Genocide Memorial to pay respects to the victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
