NEW technology and the continued discovery of strategic mineral resources are posing far-reaching political, economic and security challenges to the African continent, National Security minister Sydney Sekeramayi has said.
Report by Everson Mushava
In his closing remarks at the end of the 10th conference of the Committee of Intelligence and Security Services of Africa (CISSA) on Tuesday evening in Harare, Sekeremayi said there was need for co-operation among African countries on issues of security to combat cyber crime on the continent.
“It is indeed proper that we should deploy our collective capacities against these threats with the sole objective of bringing peace and stability to our continent,” Sekeramayi said.
“I am aware that as intelligence operatives, we may sometimes be tempted to go it alone. But faced with the shifting nature of these security threats, coupled with unimaginable advances in technology, our capacity to overcome these challenges continues to be enhanced by our common solidarity, history and goals.”
Sekeramayi said Africa was capable of solving its own problems through the exchange of knowledge on communication technologies that would enhance the security of the continent.
“It is, therefore, our desire that CISSA continues to position itself as a bulwark of intelligence and security and assist in the African Union’s efforts in conflict resolution and management,” he said.
The minister said the security of Africa was at stake because imperial powers seeking minerals from the continent would continue to sponsor conflict in order to get a chance to siphon mineral resources.
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He said Africa should protect its mineral resources for the benefit of its people as socio-economic development would guarantee peace on the continent. Central Intelligence Organisation director-general Happyton Bonyongwe said the conference underscored the need to establish a university for capacity building of intelligence personnel.
This, Bonyongwe said, would enable security organisations to confront the security threats on the continent. The conference also resolved to strengthen security ties between member states, while protecting territorial integrity, sovereignty and non-interference in internal affairs of member states.
