Celebrating a Decade of Strategic Dialogue on African Security
The Policy Center for the New South hosted the 10th edition of the Annual Conference on Peace and Security in Africa (APSACO) on June 11 and 12, 2026, in Rabat, Morocco. The conference, themed "A Decade in Review: Africa’s Evolving Security Landscape," brought together high-level experts to analyze the continent's security transformations and outline prospects leading up to 2036. This significant event not only marked a decade of commitment to fostering strategic dialogue regarding peace and security issues in Africa but also coincided with the release of the annual report on continental challenges, providing an opportunity to reflect on ten years characterized by escalating challenges.
Under the overarching theme, the conference took place against a backdrop of complex international dynamics, highlighted by persistent crises, evolving conflicts, the reconfiguration of global partnerships, and the emergence of new technologies. On June 10, the Policy Center unveiled its 2026 Annual Report on African Geopolitics, a pivotal publication analyzing Africa as a focal point for international rivalries, regional ambitions, and local dynamics.
High-Level Panel Discussion in Rabat
This commemorative edition saw the Policy Center for the New South assemble an exceptional panel of dignitaries from over twenty countries, including former ministers, high-ranking United Nations officials, presidential advisors, NATO experts, senior military officers from African nations, prominent figures in diplomacy and mediation, as well as numerous defense specialists from Africa, Europe, and North America. Notable speakers included Ibrahim Thiaw, former Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations; Abdisaid Muse Ali, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Somalia; and Charles Keter, Special Envoy for the Great Lakes Region of Kenya.
The discussions this year tackled several strategic themes: the evolution of threats and the adaptation of counter-terrorism efforts; a review of ten years of peacekeeping operations; political transitions and new governance models; the impact of low-cost technologies on combat dynamics; and future perspectives for African security architecture. These dialogues were informed by the findings of the 2026 Annual Report on African Geopolitics, offering a forward-looking analysis of the continent's challenges and opportunities.
Since its inception in 2016, APSACO has established itself as the premier African platform for strategic dialogue on peace and security. Over the past decade, the conference has accompanied the continent through significant transformations, addressing issues ranging from asymmetric conflict management to technological warfare and regional stability challenges. To commemorate this jubilee, the Policy Center is honoring ten years of contributions to public discourse through a retrospective exhibition and dedicated audiovisual content. The constant objective remains to decipher Africa's security challenges and promote innovative, realistic solutions that align with its strategic environment. For this 10th edition, APSACO 2026 reaffirmed its fundamental mission: to enhance understanding of peace and security issues and foster the emergence of collective and sustainable responses for the African continent.
As reported by afriquinfos.com.
