ADF

ADF STAFF The past two years have been hard ones for United Nations peacekeepers. The mission in Mali shut down suddenly. The mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has begun its shutdown, while missions in the Central African Republic and on the border of Sudan and South Sudan continue to face challenges. In a 2023 study, research Professor Cedric de Coning of the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs noted that no new U.N. peacekeeping missions have been deployed since 2014, other than special political missions. Missions in the CAR, the DRC and Mali, he noted, have been unable…

ADF STAFF Immediately after Burkina Faso’s National Assembly unanimously approved arming civilian volunteers to help battle extremists in January 2020, the risks were clear. Despite two weeks of training, an age requirement of 18 and a “moral investigation,” the tactic seemed fraught. “It’s not a question of making cannon fodder,” then-Defence Minister Chérif Sy said. “We want to prevent these volunteers from becoming militias.” Corrine Dufka, West Africa director for Human Rights Watch, citing documented instances of abuses by Burkinabe soldiers, had a dour outlook. “This new plan to subcontract security operations to civilians threatens to lead to even more…

ADF STAFF Years of peace in the coastal nation of Côte d’Ivoire were interrupted in 2020 when violent extremist groups in neighboring Burkina Faso began crossing the border and staging attacks. Côte d’Ivoire reported at least 20 attacks, including assaults on military positions and convoys. The invasions were backed with propaganda campaigns and threats against civilians. The country was prepared for the violence, researcher William Assanvo wrote in a 2023 report for the Institute for Security Studies. Côte d’Ivoire already had measures in the pipeline to address the problem. It had developed a national counterterrorism strategy in 2018, and at…

DEFENCEWEB Mechanics from Zambia spent a week in the United States learning how to maintain Enstrom turbine-powered 480B helicopters. Zambia’s Ministry of Defence signed a contract in 2023 for two of the helicopters which will be used as trainers, as well as in missions such as anti-poaching and public safety. Enstrom regularly offers maintenance courses throughout the year at its factory in Menominee, Michigan. Participants practice what they learn with hands-on display models and special tools. The Zambia Air Force’s new helicopters will be based in Lusaka and used for training and utility missions. A training package is included in…

DEFENCEWEB Boeing has started manufacturing the first of 24 AH-64E Apache attack helicopters for Morocco ahead of deliveries to the North African nation beginning in 2024.  Preparations are underway at the Khouribga military base to accommodate the new Apaches. Morocco in June 2020 ordered 24 AH-64Es in a deal worth $440 million after requesting the aircraft in late 2019. The contract is expected to conclude by March 2025. Boeing is building the new Moroccan Apaches under a contract with the U.S. Army through the U.S. government’s Foreign Military Sales process. The AH-64E that Morocco has ordered features an improved modern…

DEFENCEWEB Alexandria Shipyard has launched the Egyptian Navy’s first locally built Meko A200 frigate, the fourth overall for the North African nation. The Al-Jabbar was launched on December 4, 2023, with Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi attending the ceremony. Alexandria Shipyard said manufacture and assembly of the first Meko A200 took two years. Egypt has positioned itself among the few countries to manufacture large military vessels, it said. “Today we celebrate the inauguration and launching of the first Meko A200 stealth frigate by 100% Egyptian hands.” The shipyard added that “the launching and sailing of Egyptian frigates are now an undeniable…

The Nigerian Navy aims to use artificial intelligence to strengthen its operational capacity and keep pace with evolving technological advancements in the maritime industry.  Chief of the Naval Staff Vice Adm. Emmanuel Ogalla made the announcement during the presentation of a paper by navy participants at the National Defence College. Ogalla said the Nigerian Navy is embracing AI because it and other emerging technologies increasingly are used in ship construction. “The Nigerian Navy must continue to adopt and integrate these technologies in order to maintain a competitive edge during operations,” Ogalla said in a report by Nigerian newspaper Leadership. AI…

ADF STAFF Sea crimes are a constant threat to coastal countries. Pirate attacks are increasing off the coast of Somalia. The Gulf of Guinea remains the world’s epicenter of illegal fishing. Other crimes, including oil theft, drug smuggling, and human and weapons trafficking, are rife in continental waters. Cobus Valentine, chief commercial officer of Global Command and Control Technologies, recently encouraged authorities concerned with maritime domain awareness to use artificial intelligence (AI) to help monitor their waters. Valentine spoke at the Ocean Economy Conference in Cape Town, South Africa, in late May. “Artificial intelligence is transforming how we approach these…

ADF STAFF The Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) terror group claimed responsibility for the June 11 attack on a Burkina Faso military base in Mansila that killed more than 100 Soldiers and several civilians. It was the deadliest assault on the Burkinabe military since 2015. One day later, a rocket hit the parking area of the state-run TV Radiodiffusion Télévision Burkinabé (RTB), in Ouagadougou, the national capital. No one was killed in the blast, although some people were injured. Capt. Ibrahim Traoré, Burkina Faso’s junta leader, downplayed the incident, saying people guarding the station launched the rocket by mistake, the…

ADF STAFF After attending the 2023 African Chiefs of Defense Conference in Rome, Botswana Defence Force Commander Lt. Gen. Placid Segokgo looked forward to hosting it one year later. It would be the first time the annual gathering took place on the continent. “Your presence here today demonstrates your commitment to ensuring not only continental peace and security but also world peace and security, which are fundamental to sustainable social economic development,” Segokgo said in an opening ceremony address to 42 of Africa’s defense chiefs. “[This] conference offers military leaders an opportunity to learn from fellow commanders’ personal experiences from…