Africa’s Security Crisis Costs $18 Billion Annually, President William Ruto Reveals

President William Ruto of Kenya has underscored the escalating cost of insecurity in Africa, revealing that the continent spends an estimated $18 billion each year combating terrorism, conflicts, and political instability.

This alarming figure was shared during his address at the African Union (AU) Retreat on Institutional Reforms, where he called for immediate reforms to strengthen the continent’s security framework.

Ruto highlighted the severe toll that insecurity is taking on African nations, referencing recent statistics that reveal a staggering number of terrorist-related incidents and casualties. In the second quarter of 2024 alone, Africa saw 1,000 terrorism-related attacks, which led to the deaths of 4,818 people.

The Kenyan president stressed that these incidents represent a deepening humanitarian crisis, exacerbated by the ongoing conflicts that displace millions of people and threaten regional stability.

“The continent is facing unprecedented challenges regarding peace and security. Conflict continues to rob Africa of its potential, costing the continent an estimated $18 billion annually and displacing millions of people,” Ruto stated.

According to the president, the crisis has contributed to Africa being home to 35 million internally displaced persons, 8.9 million refugees, 1.1 million asylum seekers, and 1 million stateless individuals.

Ruto also highlighted the limitations of the AU’s current peace and security architecture, describing it as incapable of addressing the continent’s growing and complex security threats.

He called for a revitalisation of the AU’s framework to enable the organisation to better tackle these challenges and promote sustainable peace across Africa.

President Ruto’s remarks come as the continent grapples with not only security issues but also the need for greater financial independence.

Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama expressed concern about the African Union’s reliance on external funding, suggesting that it hinders the AU’s ability to set its own agenda and effectively address Africa’s internal challenges.

In his address, Mahama urged for an accelerated implementation of the Kigali decision, which aims to reduce the AU’s dependence on external partners and foster greater financial autonomy.

He stressed that the path to a more resilient and independent African Union lies in self-reliance, enabling the AU to take a stronger leadership role in solving Africa’s most pressing problems.

The combined messages from Presidents Ruto and Mahama highlight the urgency of addressing Africa’s security challenges and the importance of reforming the AU’s institutional framework. Africa’s future stability depends on the continent’s ability to tackle its security issues head-on and reduce reliance on external support, paving the way for greater prosperity and peace.

 

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