Major General Kotia Advocates for African-Led Security at ASEC2026 Amid Continental Crackdowns on Crime

Major General Emmanuel Wekem Kotia (Rtd) has called for a significant shift toward African-led security initiatives during the opening of the 13th Africa Security Symposium (ASEC2026) in Accra. Under the theme "Strengthening African Security Through Innovation and Inclusion," the symposium brought together delegates from the African Union, government institutions, and civil society to address the continent’s most pressing threats. The event highlights Ghana's role as a beacon of democratic stability while setting a collaborative agenda for counter-terrorism, border security, and cyber resilience, emphasizing that local partnerships are essential for tackling complex modern challenges.

The push for structural security reform comes as South African authorities take decisive action against the proliferation of illicit weapons. On July 9, coinciding with the International Day of the Destruction of Small Arms, South African police destroyed 11,859 firearms in Johannesburg. This massive disposal included 9,596 handguns alongside various rifles and shotguns. Deputy Police Minister Polly Boshielo emphasized that permanently removing these weapons from circulation is critical to community safety, noting that over 317,000 firearms have been destroyed in the country over the last seven years as part of a sustained crime-reduction strategy.

In West Africa, regional security efforts have recently yielded the rescue of students previously abducted by Islamic militants in Nigeria’s Oyo State. The students, who had been held since May, are currently receiving medical care at a military hospital following their release. Oyo Governor Seyi Makinde visited the survivors to oversee their recovery, marking a significant victory against the kidnapping-for-ransom crises that have plagued parts of the region. This development reinforces the symposium’s focus on the necessity of robust counter-terrorism strategies and the protection of vulnerable populations through military and civil cooperation.

However, the complexities of transnational crime continue to challenge local law enforcement, as evidenced by a recent murder case in Tamale, Ghana. The Northern Regional Police Command arrested two Nigerian nationals, Daniel Victor Eze and David Oko Ewa, for the alleged murder of their compatriot, Nkemujika Uzorchuku Eze. The suspects reportedly confessed to the killing, citing a dispute over proceeds from internet fraud activities. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the evolving nature of crime—ranging from cyber-driven violence to cross-border disputes—that the ASEC2026 delegates seek to mitigate through improved intelligence sharing and technological innovation.

The convergence of high-level policy dialogue in Accra and tactical successes in South Africa and Nigeria illustrates a multifaceted approach to securing the continent. As Major General Kotia noted, the path to sustainable peace requires a synergy between government policy, private sector innovation, and academia. By addressing both the root causes of instability and the immediate tools of violence, African nations are working toward a safer environment conducive to long-term economic growth and democratic resilience.