1. Rwanda Defence Force Command and Staff College (RDFCSC) in collaboration with the University of Rwanda (UR) held a three days National Security Symposium (NSS) from Monday 13th to Wednesday 15th May, 2019 on the following theme: “Contemporary Security Challenges: The African Perspective”.
2. The 7th National Security Symposium discussed seven varied topics including Power Dynamics between Russia, China and the western world: Implications on security and Development in Africa, Building Defence Capabilities in Africa; a Precursor for an Independent Africa: Strategies Challenges and way Forward.
3. Others included Youth Bulge and unemployment in Africa: a treat to Security and Development, African Continental Free Trade Area ( AFCFTA) : a solution to Economic Self-Reliance: Challenges and Prospects, Cyber Terrorism; a Threat to National Security: Deterrent Measures and Mitigating Strategies, Protection of civilians in Peace Keeping Operations: Challenges Associated with Mandates, States ‘Sovereignty and Peace Keeping Forces’ Capabilities, and the last was consensual versus Adversarial Politics in the Pursuit of Sustainable Peace, Stability and Development in Africa.
4. DAY ONE: Monday 13 May 2019. The participants posed for a group photo on the first day of the 7th National Security Symposium in Musanze District and the Rwanda Defence Minister continued by opening the NSS 2019.

Officials and participants posed for a group photo on the first day of the 7th National Security Symposium in Musanze District

The Minister of Defence opened the NSS

5. While officially opening the National Security Symposium, Rwanda’s Defence Minister Maj Gen Albert MURASIRA highlighted that contemporary security challenges are complex and require continental or regional initiatives rather than focusing on individual state capacities.

6. SESSION 1: Power Dynamics between Russia, China and the western world: Implications on security and Development in Africa.

It included panelists such as General James Kabarebe, the Senior Presidential Advisor on security, Justice and Attorney General Johnston Busingye, Minister for Infrastructure Amb. Clever Gatete and Prof Adebayo Olukoshi.

7. SESSION 2: Building Defence Capabilities in Africa; a Precursor for an Independent Africa: Strategies, Challenges and way Forward.

It included panelist Gen Patrick NYAMVUMBA, Brig Gen Dr Ephrem RURANGWA , Maj Gen ABIODUN Samuel Adebayo, Rear Adm. Heidi Berg AFRICOM J2, Prof Amb Abdulaye BATHILY

8. DAY TWO: Tuesday14 May 2019.
9. SESSION 3: Youth Bulge and unemployment in Africa: a threat to Security and Development

The panelist included Amb Abdualye DIOP , Hon Rosemary MBABAZI, , Dr Usta KAITESI
10. SESSION 4: African Continental Free Trade Area (AFCFTA): a solution to Economic Self-Reliance: Challenges and Prospects

The panelist included Dr Mukhisa KITUYI, Amb Ron Prosor, Hon Soraya Hakuziyaremye
11. SESSION 5: Cyber Terrorism; a Threat to National Security: Deterrent Measures and Mitigating Strategies.

The panelist included, Dr Hamadan TOURE, Mr Eugene KASPERSKY, Maj Gen J NZABAMWITA, Col Andrew Nyamvumba

12. DAY THREE: Wednesday 15 May 2019
13. SESSION 6: Protection of Civilians in Peacekeeping Operations: Challenges Associated with Mandates, States’ Sovereignty and Peace Keeping Forces’ Capabilities.

The panelist included Gen Patrick NYAMVUMBA, Amb Jean Pierre LACROIX, Amb Hadiza MUSTAPHA,

14. SESSION 7: Consensual versus Adversarial Politics in the Pursuit of Sustainable Peace, Stability, and Development in Africa.

The panelist included Rt Hon Andrew MITCHEL, Hon Prof Anastase SHYAKA, Prof PL Otieno LUMUMBA

15. THE CLOSING REMARKS

Remarks by the Vice Chancelor University of Rwanda

Closing remarks by the Guest of Honour

16. As it was the case in previous years, RDFCSC highly expects that the debates and discussions from the NSS will enrich all participants’ knowledge and skills on African security issues; and more specifically sharpen the students’ awareness and readiness in their quest for becoming the officers able to handle future complex security challenges.