The Security Watch African Initiative (SWAI) has called for intelligence sharing and synergy amongst sub-regional bodies on the continent to check insecurity in African countries.
SWAI, at its 17th annual conference and award ceremony in Banjul, The Gambia, also called for periodic assembly to assess the African security environment.
The suggestions are contained in a communiqué from the 3-day conference that had the theme: “Post-COVID-19: Sustaining Security in Africa.”
The communiqué was signed by Mr Patrick Agbambu, SWAI President and Sani Usman, Chief Communiqué Rapporteur.
The continental body emphasised the need for a unified and an enabling legal framework as well as a comprehensive, all-encompassing strategy to enable the continent tackle causes of insecurity.
It also called for a strengthened judicial system to address security challenges across Africa.
Participants also encouraged regular meetings of the security councils and commissions of sub-regional bodies such as SADC and ECOWAS, among others.
“African countries should collaborate more and look inward for solutions to address African security challenges.
“African leaders should adopt an all-of-society approach, particularly engaging the youths, to address evolving security challenges.
“To address maritime security, African Naval formations should strengthen their collaboration and synergy.
“African countries should come up with integrated, all-encompassing maritime strategies that are in line with continental and regional security architectures,” the communiqué said.
It emphasised the need for African countries to strengthen their research and development efforts through training and adequate funding.
“There is a need for the African Union to operationalise the collective security mechanism, particularly the African Standby Force, to address insecurity in Africa,” it added.
The participants also restated the need to encourage the media to consider national and victims’ security in their reportage.
SWAI was established in 1997 with the primary objectives of monitoring, collecting, analysing and broadcasting security issues on the African continent for public awareness and policy making.
To further encourage professionalism and intellectual engagements among African military and security forces, it holds annual conferences and award ceremonies in different parts of the world.
The conferences usually focus on showcasing the African military and security forces’ accomplishments and work toward enhancing friendship and military cooperation.
