NAIROBI — The United States has made a clear case in Nairobi: a stable Africa is not just Africa’s concern it’s the world’s.
At the opening of the Africa Chiefs of Defence Conference on Wednesday, US Chargé d’Affaires Marc Dillard laid out Washington’s position in direct terms.
“When African nations are more secure, the region is more stable and the world, including the United States, is safer and more prosperous,” he told delegates gathered from 38 African and allied countries.
The conference, co-hosted by the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), comes at a time of growing concern over cross-border threats, including terrorism, trafficking, and maritime crime. The theme this year, “Strengthening African Security, Sustaining Unity of Effort,” reflects what many see as the need for tighter cooperation across borders and militaries.
“This is not just another meeting,” said Mr Dillard. “It’s a chance to face shared challenges together and act.”
Mr Dillard praised Kenya’s military for its leadership in hosting the summit, and highlighted ongoing joint military exercises involving African and American forces including Flintlock, Cutlass Express, African Lion, and Justified Accord.
He recalled his visit to the Justified Accord training in Mount Kenya earlier this year, where troops from several countries participated in drills focused on counter-terrorism and peacekeeping.
“Amid the high-tech weapons and tactics, what stood out were the service members,” Dillard said. “Your troops showed discipline, professionalism, and commitment to the mission.”
But he was quick to note that real security goes beyond military hardware or battlefield victories.
“Security is not merely the absence of conflict it is the presence of opportunity,” he said. “It allows businesses to thrive, governments to function, and young people to imagine a better future.”
That broader view tying security to prosperity and development echoed throughout the day’s speeches. Delegates stressed that coordinated defence is vital, but so is good governance, regional cooperation, and investment in young people.
President William Ruto attended the event, alongside Defence Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya and Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces General Charles Kahariri. Also present were General Michael Langley, Commander of US Africa Command, and General Daniel R. Hokanson, Chief of the US National Guard Bureau.
General Kahariri, who opened the conference, had earlier called for better intelligence sharing, standardised military operations, and pooled resources to meet modern security challenges.
In his remarks, Mr Dillard reinforced the message. He urged leaders not to treat the summit as a one-off discussion, but as a launching pad for action.
“This is a moment to renew our commitments,” he said. “To strengthen the partnerships that protect our people and our futures.”
As the forum continues, delegates are expected to discuss concrete steps for building more responsive and united African defence systems including how to address cyber threats, disinformation, and the effects of climate change on national security.
For now, the message from Nairobi is clear: Africa’s security is not an isolated issue. It is global. And ignoring it comes at a cost.
