Kagame warns Africa to brace for AI-driven cyberattacks, urges united defence strategy
Kagame told top commanders from 19 African nations that modern warfare is shifting online, with artificial intelligence, disinformation, and cyberattacks posing as much danger as guns and bombs.
Rwandan President Paul Kagame has called on African armies to take a more proactive role in safeguarding the continent’s security, warning that disinformation and cyberattacks are emerging as major threats to national stability.
Speaking on Monday at the Second Edition of the Land Forces Commanders Symposium in Kigali, Kagame emphasised that modern threats demand swift, coordinated, and technologically advanced responses from African militaries. He said the continent must stop relying on foreign assistance to solve its own security problems.
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The three-day symposium, themed “Forging the Future Together,” brought together military leaders from 19 African countries — including Kenya, Uganda, South Sudan, Morocco, Senegal, and Rwanda — as well as representatives from partner nations such as Qatar, Egypt, and Ghana.
“Our economies and security systems rely on digital networks that transcend geography. Cyber attacks and disinformation can destabilise nations as effectively as armed attacks,” said Kagame.
“Many of you have travelled great distances to be here. That reflects your determination to confront our shared security challenges together.”
Increasingly complex conflicts
Kagame noted that as modern conflicts become increasingly complex — involving military, political, humanitarian, and environmental dimensions — land forces remain crucial in ensuring effective responses.
“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,” he said.
However, the Rwandan leader cautioned that external interference often hampers military operations.
“Too often, setbacks arise from excessive bureaucracy or caveats imposed from afar, which limit the ability of field commanders to intervene effectively,” said the Commander-in-Chief of the Rwanda Defence Force.
“Speed matters because conditions on the ground change quickly, and delays are costly. But speed without accuracy is dangerous, and accuracy without speed is pointless. There has to be a balance between the two.”
Kagame further urged African armies to work together and prioritise the safety of citizens, noting that the continent — which still records the highest number of active conflicts globally — continues to depend heavily on foreign support.
“None of the challenges that we face is beyond our capacity to manage or resolve. Our armies already work side by side under regional and continental frameworks,” he said, encouraging delegates to use the symposium to strengthen cooperation.
“I urge you to be frank with one another; share experiences and challenge assumptions. This is how progress is going to be made. Let us continue to strengthen our bonds, enhance our cooperation, and remain steadfast in shaping the secure and stable Africa we all aspire to,” he added.
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