SWAI advocates intelligence sharing

The Security Watch Africa Initiative (SWAI) has advocated intelligence sharing and synergy amongst sub-regional bodies on the continent as well as a periodic assembly to assess the African security environment. 

It also called for a unified, comprehensive and all-encompassing strategy as well as a strengthened judicial system to address security challenges across Africa. These were part of the resolutions reached during the 17th edition of the SWAI Annual Conference held at Banjul, the Gambia capital city. 

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In a communiqué issued yesterday and jointly signed by SWAI President, Patrick Agbambu and the Chief Rapporteur, Brig.-Gen. Sani Usman (Rtrd), the initiative also said there a need for regular meetings of the security councils and commissions of sub-regional bodies such as SADC and ECOWAS, among others. 

“African countries should collaborate more and look inward for solutions to address African security challenges. 

“African leaders should adopt an all-of-society approach, particularly engaging the youths, to address evolving security challenges. 

“To address maritime security, African navies should strengthen their collaboration and synergy. 

“African countries should come up with integrated, all-encompassing maritime strategies that are in line with continental and regional security architectures. 

“African countries should strengthen their research and development efforts through training and adequate funding. 

“There is a need for the AU to operationalize the collective security mechanism, particularly the African Standby Force, to address insecurity in Africa. 

“There is a need to encourage the media to consider national and victim security in their reportage,” the communique read in part.