According to IGIHE, Rwanda’s Minister of Defence, Juvenal Marizamunda, has called on commanders of land forces from various countries to enhance collaboration, emphasizing that land forces are the first to respond during critical times.
He made the remarks on October 22, 2025, while closing the Land Forces Commanders Symposium, a two-day international conference held in Kigali, Rwanda. This marked the second edition of the symposium, following the first one held in France last year.
The meeting brought together commanders of land forces, military experts, and defense partners from across Africa and beyond. Discussions focused on strengthening cooperation, building capacity, and addressing pressing security challenges that continue to hinder the continent’s development.
Minister Marizamunda commended participants for their contributions throughout the symposium, stressing the importance of collective training and knowledge-sharing in building a peaceful and prosperous future for Africa and the world.
“You discussed ongoing global and regional security transformations and reaffirmed your commitment to enhancing capacity, professionalism, and readiness as land forces,” he said.
He further noted that the symposium served as a reminder of the difficult times the world is facing, highlighting that land forces remain the first responders in times of crisis.
“We live in a period characterized by complex security challenges, including cross-border threats and conflicts that demand coordinated responses,” Minister Marizamunda added. “In such times, the role of land forces is crucial. They are the ones who respond first, restore stability, and lay the foundation for lasting peace.”
When officially opening the symposium earlier, President Paul Kagame, who also serves as the Commander-in-Chief of the Rwanda Defence Force, urged African nations to take ownership of their security issues instead of relying on external interventions.
He emphasized that cooperation based on mutual respect and understanding is key to sustainable security solutions across the continent.
The final session of the symposium, held on October 22, 2025, focused on the theme “Enhancing Cooperation among Land Forces in Africa and Beyond.” Panelists highlighted that no single country can effectively confront the rising security threats without working closely with others.
The discussion was moderated by Brig Gen Patrick Karuretwa, Director General for International Military Cooperation in Rwanda’s Ministry of Defense, and featured key speakers including Lt Gen (Rtd) Tukur Yusufu Buratai, former Chief of Army Staff of Nigeria; Lt Gen David Kipkemboi Ketter, Commander of the Kenya Army; and Maj Gen Abou Issa, Commander of the Benin Army.
They noted that while Africa has made efforts to establish regional and continental cooperation frameworks, significant challenges persist — including internal conflicts and disputes between neighboring countries.
Participants agreed that achieving effective collaboration requires strong political will and commitment from all member states to implement collective solutions to shared security threats. Following the conclusion of the symposium, the commanders of land forces visited the Kigali Genocide Memorial, where they paid tribute to the victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
