African defence chiefs gathered in Kampala for what organisers describe as the first meeting of its kind dedicated specifically to Military Operations Other Than War at the level of the continent’s top military leadership. The focus was practical: how African armed forces actually deliver on operations outside conventional combat, from peacekeeping and disaster response to emergency operations.
Military chiefs and senior officers from several African countries attended, alongside representatives of the African Union and regional organisations. Discussions centred on the operational role African militaries can and should play when security and humanitarian challenges arise that traditional combat frameworks do not cover. Participants also weighed how to strengthen coordination and cooperation among African militaries as they carry out these missions.
Ugandan President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, who formally closed the conference, stressed the importance of cooperation, coordination and joint efforts among African armed forces, particularly in operations that do not involve conventional warfare. His remarks underscored the meeting’s core theme: delivery on non-combat missions depends on militaries being able to work together across borders.
The range of tasks under discussion was broad. Such operations can include protecting civilians, responding to natural disasters, supporting humanitarian emergencies and assisting national authorities during major crises. The conference gave African military leaders an opportunity to exchange experiences and compare approaches to this kind of work, which has become an increasingly important part of the continent’s security response.
Somalia’s participation drew attention given the state of its security forces. Somali troops continue to play a central role in efforts to strengthen national security and are preparing to take on greater responsibility as international military support and peacekeeping arrangements in the country evolve. Somalia has been a major participant in regional security efforts, particularly through operations against armed groups and cooperation with neighbouring countries and continental institutions.
Meanwhile, the meeting highlighted the growing role of African-led security cooperation and the need for military institutions across the continent to improve their ability to operate jointly during emergencies. For organisers and participants alike, the Kampala gathering marks a step toward building that joint capacity. The open question is whether African forces can deliver effectively when crises demand responses beyond conventional warfare.