Addis Ababa(Mogadishu24)-The first-ever Africa Defense Ministers’ Conference, organized by Ethiopia, is currently underway at the Adwa Victory Memorial Museum in Addis Ababa, gathering defense ministers, senior military officials, and security experts from across the continent.

The three-day event, themed “Africa: United in Peace, Strong in Security,” aims to bolster continental security cooperation and address pressing threats, including terrorism, organized crime, cyber-attacks, and political instability.

The conference, initiated by Ethiopia, underscores the importance of strengthening military partnerships among African nations to combat the rising complexities of the security environment across the continent. Ethiopia’s Minister of Defense, Engineer Aisha Mohammed, welcomed the attendees, expressing pride in hosting such a critical gathering.

“This forum is a testament to our unwavering commitment to peace and security and the shared vision of a stable Africa where our people can thrive,” she said.

Aisha emphasized the need for collective resilience in the face of diverse security threats that undermine Africa’s prosperity, including terrorism, insurgencies, and human trafficking. She highlighted that this conference represents the continent’s collective will to overcome these challenges and seize opportunities for progress.

“Africa’s security environment has become more complex than ever before,” she added, stressing the urgency for enhanced cooperation to build the resilience of African nations. “In this complexity lies our opportunity to strengthen our cooperation, share knowledge, and shape the future of Africa’s defense strategy.”

Bobatunde Payomi Taiwn, Head of Political Affairs and Counterterrorism at the African Union, also addressed the delegates, noting the critical timing of the conference.

“This event comes at a pivotal moment in history when we must work collaboratively to ensure peace and security across Africa for the global good,” Taiwn stated. He highlighted the importance of technology, particularly the development of an artificial intelligence defense ecosystem, as a key priority for Africa’s defense strategy.

However, notable absences were felt at the conference, with Somalia’s Defense Minister and Chief of Staff not in attendance. The Somali Ambassador to Ethiopia, Abdullahi Warfa, represented the country instead according to diplomats.

Sources reveal that tensions between Somalia and Ethiopia have escalated following Ethiopia’s controversial memorandum of understanding with Somaliland earlier this year, leasing 20 kilometers of sea access to Ethiopia. This conflict has strained relations and impacted shared regional and continental security cooperation.

As the discussions continue over the next two days, the conference aims to lay the groundwork for a stronger, more united African defense network capable of tackling evolving global and regional threats while advancing the African Union’s Agenda 2063.