Kagame on Africa’s Path to Security: Homegrown Solutions, Key to Ending Foreign Dependence

Elias Hakizimana May 20, 2025 0 Comments

By The Inspirer.

President Paul Kagame has called on African nations to take greater ownership of their security, stressing that sustainable peace on the continent can only be achieved through homegrown solutions rather than reliance on foreign actors.

Speaking on May 19, 2025, at the opening of the International Conference on Security in Africa held in Kigali, Kagame said Africa’s persistent security challenges cannot be solved by external interventions.

“Historically, our security has been treated as a burden for others to shoulder, with minimal involvement on our part and no benefits aligned with our realities or aspirations. This approach has yielded no results—neither for Africa nor for the world,” he said.

Kagame emphasized that African nations must act as capable and committed partners in safeguarding their own stability.

“We cannot criticize foreign interference while simultaneously enabling it. Sovereignty is not limited to protecting borders—it includes the responsibility of securing our nations and our continent collectively. Ignoring this duty invites others to step in, which erodes public trust and weakens our leadership,” he warned.

He urged stronger support for continental institutions, particularly the African Union and its Peace and Security Council, to enhance their ability to respond to emerging threats.

“Security and governance go hand in hand. If one fails, the other stands on shaky ground. Without both, there’s no trust, and without trust, no real development. Security isn’t about the absence of threats—it’s about ensuring citizens live with dignity, enjoy their rights, and face the future with confidence,” Kagame noted.

He also underscored the importance of deeper, action-oriented collaboration among African nations, beyond just sharing information.

“Even with good internal systems, no country can secure itself in isolation. Cross-border threats like pandemics or cyberattacks spread faster than our responses. Partnerships must go beyond information exchange to include meaningful cooperation.”

Kagame concluded by calling for a focused, innovative, and self-determined approach.

“The key to overcoming security threats lies in our ability to craft our own solutions.”

He added that the exhibition planned during the conference demonstrates Africa’s capabilities when investments are made in building local capacity.

“Where we have capacity, we must strengthen it. Where it’s lacking, this is the time to build it—together.”

Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the ISCA Advisory Council, echoed Kagame’s sentiments, stating that Africa’s security must be founded on African solutions designed and led by Africans, with a strong focus on prevention rather than merely responding to the consequences of insecurity.