The inaugural International Security Conference on Africa (ISCA) kicked off on Monday in Rwanda’s capital, bringing together continental leaders, security experts, and policymakers to address Africa’s pressing security challenges.
In his opening address, President Paul Kagame described the event as “long overdue,” urging African nations to take ownership of their security affairs rather than relying on external actors. He criticized the prevailing approach of outsourcing Africa’s security, which he said has repeatedly failed to deliver sustainable peace and stability.
“For too long, African security has been treated as a burden for others to manage, often excluding meaningful regional input and failing to appreciate local contexts,” Kagame said. “This approach has not worked—for Africa or the world.”
The conference aims to reshape the continent’s role in global security dialogue by encouraging African states to act as capable and reliable partners. Kagame warned that failure to assume this responsibility risks ceding control and credibility to external forces.
Central to his message was the call to strengthen regional institutions such as the African Union and its Peace and Security Council. He stressed that these bodies must lead efforts to coordinate and manage Africa’s shared security concerns.
“The key to overcoming our security challenges lies in our ability to develop our own solutions,” Kagame said. He added that the conference should align political commitment with technical expertise and balance national interests with continental priorities.
As ISCA progresses, it is expected to catalyze greater collaboration among African nations, fostering a unified approach to peace and security across the continent.