NAIROBI, Kenya- The National Defence University-Kenya (NDU-K) kicked off a pivotal Senior Professional Military Education Commandants’ Forum, presided over by Vice-Chancellor Lieutenant General Jimson Mutai, at Villa Rosa Kempinski in Nairobi.
The three-day event, themed “Enhancing Professional Military Education for Strategic Leadership,” is a collaborative effort between NDU-K and the Africa Center for Strategic Studies (ACSS).
It has brought together leaders from across Africa’s military education institutions to discuss ways to bolster the development of senior military and civilian national security officials.
In his opening remarks, Lt Gen Mutai emphasized the forum’s strategic importance, noting that professional military education is critical for preparing military leaders to tackle both traditional and emerging security threats effectively.
He highlighted the increasingly complex global and regional security environment, characterized by challenges that require adaptable and forward-thinking military education.
“This forum is a landmark in our collective efforts to shape military leadership capable of assessing and addressing the myriad security challenges we face today,” Mutai stated.
“As we convene, we acknowledge the unique challenges and immense opportunities within the current global and regional security environments—challenges that transcend borders and are increasingly global in nature.”
Lt Gen Mutai also pointed out the multifaceted nature of Africa’s security landscape, which includes threats like terrorism, insurgencies, cybercrime, and regional conflicts.
He stressed the importance of a curriculum that not only raises awareness of these threats but also equips leaders with the necessary skills to counter them effectively.
This aligns with NDU-K’s mission to train and build capacity in national security and strategy through research and innovation.
The forum’s first day featured a series of keynote addresses from renowned experts in military education and strategic studies.
Among the speakers were Colonel (rtd) Tim Mitchell, a former infantry officer with extensive experience in Sub-Saharan Africa, and Dr. Matthew Dearing from the College of International Affairs at the National Defence University in Washington, DC.
Both experts delved into the importance of maintaining quality outcomes in professional military education to prepare leaders for an increasingly volatile strategic environment.
Maj Gen (Rtd) Amb George Owinow, a former Commandant of the Kenya Military Academy and High Commissioner in Kampala, also shared insights on preparing leaders for the future strategic landscape.
His talk underscored the need for continuous adaptation in military education to reflect advancements in technology, geopolitics, and socio-economic factors.
Participants in the forum include representatives from Kenya, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Malawi, Morocco, Zambia, South Africa, Senegal, Nigeria, and the United States.
The ACSS, a part of the U.S. Department of Defence’s regional enterprise, plays a crucial role in this collaboration, promoting a citizen-centric approach to security across Africa by expanding understanding, building trusted partnerships, and catalyzing strategic solutions.
As Africa continues to face an evolving security landscape, forums like this are vital in ensuring that military education remains relevant, strategic, and capable of preparing leaders for the challenges of tomorrow.
