AU Summit: Security expert tasks African leaders

A Nigerian security expert based in South Africa, Debo Adesina, during the 25th Session of the African Union summit taking place in Johannesburg, South Africa urged African leaders to share intelligence in tackling insecurity in the continent.

He said various sub-regional blocs in the continent should share intelligence to check the activities and operations of insurgents in the continent.

“The fact that some countries in Africa are not experiencing security challenges is not enough to stay aloof to the problems of other countries.”

“Such intelligence network will assist countries without security challenges to be on alert and stop any moves or plans by insurgents to penetrate their countries,” he said.

According to Adesina, sub-regional blocs which has free movement of people should put in place good border controls.

“It is easy for insurgents to capitalise on free movements across borders of various countries to infiltrate and cause havoc.”

“African leaders should put in place intelligence gathering mechanism at their borders to monitor movement of people, especially suspected insurgents or terrorists.”

“Information gathered on such movements should be shared among the regional blocs and this will assist countries without insurgency to be on alert about suspicious movements into their countries,” he said.

The security expert said the African Union summit was a good platform to reach an agreement on intelligence gathering in the continent.

Adesina suggested after the summit, sub-regional blocs and groups should follow up and put in place an action plan to achieve the objective.

NAN