🇳🇬🇷🇼 COAS, Rwanda Defence Chief Reinforce African-Led Military Partnership Against Transnational Security Threats

Nigeria and Rwanda have reaffirmed the importance of African-led defence cooperation in confronting terrorism, violent extremism and transnational security threats, with stronger military partnerships identified as essential to regional stability and collective security across the continent.

Desk: Defence & Security

Date: 19 October 2026

Time: 18:30 WAT

Location: 📍Kigali, Rwanda

The commitment was highlighted during a courtesy visit by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, to the Chief of Defence Staff of the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF), General Mubarakh Muganga, in Kigali, during the Nigerian Army Chief’s official working visit to Rwanda. The engagement focused on strengthening bilateral military relations and advancing collaborative approaches to shared security challenges.

In a statement issued on 19 October 2026, the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, said the engagement underscored the need for African nations to take greater responsibility for addressing common security threats through sustained military cooperation, intelligence sharing, joint capacity development and coordinated responses to emerging risks.

Lieutenant General Shaibu emphasised the strategic value of stronger military-to-military relations in counterterrorism, counterinsurgency, professional military education and the exchange of operational experiences. Such cooperation can improve interoperability and operational readiness while strengthening the capacity of African armed forces to respond to increasingly complex and interconnected threats.

The discussions also highlighted the importance of African-driven security solutions built on mutual trust, shared expertise and collective responsibility. Stronger defence coordination can help limit opportunities for terrorist and criminal networks to exploit national borders and vulnerabilities across the region.

The engagement reinforces the Nigerian Army’s commitment to strategic defence cooperation and the wider objective of building a more secure, stable and resilient African continent through sustainable, African-led security partnerships.

🏷️ Tags: Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, General Mubarakh Muganga, Rwanda Defence Force, African Defence Cooperation, Counterterrorism, Regional Security

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