25/08/2025
Lt Gen Zyeele Joins African Defence Chiefs at Landmark Security Summit in Nigeria
By Buffalo Reporter
Abuja, Nigeria
Commander Zambia Army Lieutenant General Geoffrey Choongo Zyeele, is among the African Chiefs of Defence attending the inaugural African Chiefs of Defence Staff Summit in Abuja, Nigeria.
Convened by the Federal Government of Nigeria, the summit marks a pivotal moment in the continent’s collective efforts to address escalating security threats.
Held under the theme “Combating Contemporary Threats to Regional Peace and Security in Africa: The Role of Strategic Defence Collaborations,” the summit aims at forging a unified African security strategy in response to terrorism, armed conflict, organised crime, and cyber threats.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in a speech delivered on his behalf by Vice President Kashim Shettima, emphasised the urgency of continental cooperation.
President Tinubu said that Africa cannot continue fighting insecurity in isolation, and has since called for harmonised doctrines, joint training exercises, and shared intelligence among African Defence Forces.
He underscored the importance of technological advancement, noting that cyberspace has become a battleground for criminal activity.
He urged African nations to become creators and innovators of technology, rather than mere consumers, in order to develop indigenous solutions to African crises.
Other prominent speakers included Nigeria’s Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Muhammed Mattawale, United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, Ms Amina Muhammed, Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, and ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Dr Abdel-Fatau Musah.
All echoed the call for a Pan-African approach to security, advocating for the establishment of an African High Command. The first Plenary Session focused on Border Management and Security with Professor
Patrick Loch Otieno Lumumba as Key Note Speaker.
And Lieutenant General Zyeele has welcomed the summit’s focus on transnational crimes, illegal mining, and border management and security, issues he described as increasingly central to defence discussions across the continent.
He highlighted Zambia’s proactive stance in combating illegal immigration and mining, warning that such activities could destabilise nations if left unchecked.
He said that the summit offers a broader understanding of how coordinated crimes are fuelling terrorism across Africa, further expressing optimism that the collaborative platform would yield actionable strategies for safeguarding the continent.
He added that border management now demands looking at border security through a different security prism because the combination of militarism and Artificial Intelligence in border security management require both political will and investment in Artificial Intelligence.
Lt Gen Zyeele cited that the absence of these two gearing ingredients are now a Commander’s dilemma.
He reminded the audience not to forget that “the state of any military was actually the state of a State”.
The summit which is running from 24 to 28 August 2025, is expected to culminate in a framework for enhanced strategic planning and joint operations, reinforcing Africa’s resolve to build a responsive and agile defence architecture fit for modern challenges.
