DHQ Hosts AU Military Committee, Reaffirms Commitment to Continental Security

By Zainab Uzomah| Abuja

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has hosted members of the Military Staff Committee (MSC) of the African Union (AU) Peace and Security Council (PSC) for an induction and orientation programme in Abuja, reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening peace and security across the continent.

According to a statement signed by the Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Oluyede, represented by the Director of Search and Rescue, Air Vice Marshal Idi Sani, welcomed delegates from member states of the AU Peace and Security Council and expressed appreciation to the African Union Commission for selecting Nigeria to host the programme.

The CDS said Africa continues to face security challenges, including terrorism, violent extremism, organised crime, maritime insecurity, cyber threats and humanitarian crises, which require coordinated responses and stronger military cooperation among member states. He noted that the Military Staff Committee plays a key role in providing military advice and strategic assessments to support the Peace and Security Council’s decisions on conflict prevention, crisis response and peace support operations.

In her remarks, the Head of the Peace and Security Council Secretariat of the African Union Commission, Ms Neama Chusi, said the Military Staff Committee remains an important organ of the Peace and Security Council, providing military perspectives to complement diplomatic efforts in preventing and resolving conflicts. The Chairperson of the Committee, Brigadier General Abubakar Conteh, also said the programme would strengthen institutional knowledge, enhance cooperation among member states and improve the Committee’s capacity to provide timely military advice.

The two-day programme features presentations, discussions, practical exercises and experience-sharing sessions aimed at familiarising newly appointed and returning members with the Committee’s mandate, working methods and operational procedures while promoting collaboration among participating countries.