Kagame Warns of Disinformation Threat to African Stability

President Kagame Urges African Militaries to Take Charge of Continental Security

President Paul Kagame has called on African armies to assume greater responsibility for the continent’s peace and security challenges, warning that Africa can no longer rely on external actors to resolve its internal conflicts.

Speaking at the opening of the Second Land Forces Commanders Symposium in Kigali on October 21, 2025, Kagame emphasized that Africa continues to experience more conflicts than any other region globally, yet remains heavily dependent on foreign interventions.

“Africa still experiences the highest number of active conflicts in the world,” Kagame told military leaders gathered from 19 countries. “We cannot expect others to carry the responsibility for Africa’s security. None of the challenges that we face are beyond our capacity to manage or resolve.”

The symposium, themed “Forging the Future Together,” brought together senior military officials from Algeria, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Chad, France, Gambia, Guinea, Jordan, Kenya, Malawi, Mauritania, Morocco, Republic of Congo, Senegal, Somalia, South Sudan, Uganda and host Rwanda. Representatives from Qatar, Egypt, Ghana, and Tanzania also attended as partner nations.

Kagame, who serves as Commander-in-Chief of the Rwanda Defence Force, highlighted the evolving nature of modern warfare, noting that conflicts have become increasingly asymmetric and complex.

“Conflicts are increasingly asymmetric, and the response to crises — whether political, humanitarian, or environmental — often has a military component,” he said. “In these complex situations, land forces are vital. You are the first to deploy and the last to leave. Your swiftness and precision make all the difference between success and failure.”

The President identified disinformation and cyber attacks as emerging threats that now constitute a new battlefield for African nations. He described how digital warfare can potentially destabilize nations as effectively as conventional armed attacks.

“Our economies and security systems rely on digital networks that transcend geography,” Kagame warned. “Cyber attacks and disinformation can destabilize nations as effectively as armed attacks.”

His comments come amid growing concern about foreign-backed disinformation campaigns targeting African nations and undermining indigenous peace initiatives. The President urged military leaders to prioritize this digital domain as a critical security frontier.

Kagame also criticized bureaucratic impediments that often hamper military effectiveness during crisis response. “Too often, setbacks arise from excessive bureaucracy or caveats imposed from afar, which limit the ability of field commanders to intervene effectively,” he noted. “Speed matters because conditions on the ground evolve rapidly, and delays are costly. But speed without accuracy is dangerous, and accuracy without speed is pointless.”

The symposium marks a significant step in regional military cooperation. Rwanda Defense Force Army Chief of Staff Maj Gen Vincent Nyakarundi described the gathering as an important opportunity to address emerging technologies and threats, including drone warfare and artificial intelligence applications in conflict.

“We will engage in candid discussions on strengthening bilateral and multilateral cooperation, cementing civil-military relations, and enhancing interoperability among our armies,” Nyakarundi said.

The event also underscored improving France-Rwanda relations, with French Army Chief of Staff General Pierre Schill in attendance. Schill, who hosted the inaugural symposium in 2024, noted that choosing Rwanda for the second edition symbolizes a shared ambition to strengthen partnerships among land forces.

“Rwanda represents this continued desire to share experiences through dialogue,” Schill said. “The will to strengthen our collective capacity to better cooperate and ensure shared security is founded on mutual cooperation and respect.”

Earlier, General Schill had met with RDF Chief of Defence Staff General Mubarakh Muganga at RDF Headquarters in Kigali, further cementing the renewed defense cooperation between the two nations that now includes joint training initiatives and operational collaboration.

For Rwanda, hosting the symposium aligns with its broader regional security strategy. The country has emerged as a significant contributor to peacekeeping missions across Africa, with troops currently deployed in multiple conflict zones. This symposium provides a platform for Rwanda to share its experiences while learning from partner nations.

Kagame concluded his address by urging candid dialogue among the participants. “Over the next two days, I urge you to be frank with one another — share experiences and challenge assumptions. This is how progress is going to be made,” he said. “Let us continue to strengthen our bonds, enhance our cooperation, and remain steadfast in shaping the secure and stable Africa we all aspire to.”

The symposium will continue through tomorrow with closed-door sessions focusing on military cooperation, intelligence sharing, and strategies for addressing both conventional threats and emerging challenges like terrorism, cybersecurity, and climate-related security concerns.