Mamat O. Cham, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) of The Gambia, participated in the inaugural African Chiefs of Defence Staff Summit (ACHODSS) that took place in Abuja, Nigeria, from 25th to 28th August 2025, as stated by the Gambia Armed Forces (GAF).
The summit, focused on “Combating Contemporary Threats to Regional Peace and Security in Africa: The Role of Strategic Defence Collaboration,” brought together 37 senior defence officials from various parts of the continent. The emphasis was on solutions led by African nations to address urgent security issues, such as border management, counterterrorism, maritime security, the incorporation of artificial intelligence in defense operations, and creative funding strategies via public-private partnerships (PPPs).
The summit yielded significant outcomes, such as a renewed dedication to regional collaboration and intelligence sharing, an enhanced emphasis on capacity building and interoperability, and the establishment of ACHODSS as an annual event led by the African Union.
During the summit, CDS Cham engaged in bilateral discussions with Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, to investigate new opportunities for defence collaboration. The GAF noted in a Facebook post that he engaged with CEOs of Nigerian defence industries to explore PPP opportunities focused on improving the GAF’s logistics and operational capabilities.
“The CDS also engaged with CEOs of Nigerian Defence Industries to explore PPP opportunities aimed at enhancing GAF’s logistics and operational capabilities,” GAF stated in its Facebook post.
GAF has reiterated its dedication to fostering a united, resilient, and sustainable African defence framework aimed at achieving peace, security, and development across the continent.
