Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye on Monday opened the 10th Dakar Forum on Peace and Security in Africa in Diamniadio with a strong call for a refounding of African responses to security crises and a renewed assertion of the continent’s sovereignty.
Addressing heads of state and regional leaders, he praised the presence of participants as a sign of commitment to peace, noting that Dakar has become a “capital of African and international strategic dialogue” on security issues.
He warned that the global context in 2026 is marked by deep instability, weakening multilateralism, rising protectionism and ongoing international conflicts, all of which are affecting regional balances.
Faye highlighted the growing range of threats facing Africa, including terrorism, armed conflicts, cross-border crime, cybercrime, disinformation, climate change and health risks, stressing that current security mechanisms remain limited in funding, mandates and operational capacity.
He called for more agile and effective African-led solutions, insisting that the continent must no longer allow its security priorities to be defined externally.
The president advocated for stronger regional cooperation, the development of an African defense industry, and investment in education and digital tools to counter radicalization.
Emphasizing the link between peace and development, he also pushed for the local transformation of African resources and deeper integration through frameworks like the AfCFTA and Agenda 2063, aiming to reposition Africa as a global economic force.
