Kenya on Thursday, April 9 took the spotlight as it hosts the high-level Mashariki Cooperation Conference, a three-day summit bringing together global intelligence stakeholders to confront emerging geopolitical threats and reshape Africa’s security architecture.

The conference, themed “Emerging Geopolitical Dynamics and Africa’s Security Architecture,” has drawn prominent leaders including NIS boss Nordin Haji, Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen, Attorney General Dorcas Oduor, former Nigeria President Olusegun Obasanjo and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi.

At the heart of the discussions is growing concern that Africa is increasingly being turned into a playground for terror networks, fueled by shifting global power dynamics and weak security coordination.

Delegates are now calling for urgent adoption of Artificial Intelligence in intelligence gathering and counterterrorism efforts, terming it a game-changer in detecting and preventing attacks.

Climate change has also emerged as a silent driver of conflict, with experts warning that climate-induced threats—from resource scarcity to displacement—are fast becoming triggers for war across the continent.

The conference further highlighted the dangerous role of misinformation and illicit financial flows in fueling instability, with leaders warning that unchecked propaganda and illegal funding are escalating violence.

In a bold message, speakers emphasized that conflicts are not inevitable disasters but human decisions that can be resolved through dialogue and cooperation.

A strong stance was also taken against the commercialization of peace and security, with leaders insisting that Africa—and Kenya in particular—must not privatize its security systems.

As the summit continues, expectations remain high that actionable strategies will emerge to secure Africa’s future in an increasingly complex global.