The capital of Ethiopia has become the epicentre of regional security discourse this week, as high-ranking intelligence and security officials from across East Africa convene for the crucial regional meeting of the Committee of Intelligence and Security Services of Africa (CISSA). The high-level gathering, currently underway, underscores Addis Ababa’s ascendant role as a pivotal diplomatic hub and its unwavering commitment to bolstering stability throughout the region through intensified security collaboration.
The significant meeting, which commenced on Tuesday, has drawn together directors-general and other senior-level representatives from the intelligence agencies of numerous East African nations. Deliberations are firmly focused on the most pressing and complex security challenges confronting the sub-region. These critical issues include concerted counter-terrorism strategies, the escalating threat of transnational organized crime, the ever-evolving landscape of cyber security threats, and the imperative for robust border security management.
Participants are engaged in in-depth discussions aimed at identifying and forging more effective avenues for closer collaboration and the seamless sharing of vital intelligence information. The ultimate goal is to proactively address these multifaceted issues before they can destabilize the region.
Established as a key organ of the African Union (AU), CISSA occupies a vital position in the continental architecture for promoting enduring peace, security, and overall stability. Its regional meetings serve as indispensable forums for critical intelligence sharing, the crucial development of institutional capacity, and the formulation of cohesive joint strategies designed to effectively counter shared threats. The specific focus on East Africa during this particular meeting underscores the unique and often intricate security dynamics and deeply interconnected challenges that are particularly prevalent within this strategically important sub-region.
Addressing the distinguished gathering at the opening of the meeting, Ethiopia’s Deputy Prime Minister Temesgen Tiruneh, delivered a powerful and unequivocal message emphasizing the urgent need for East African nations to assume full ownership of their security apparatus and to significantly strengthen existing regional cooperation frameworks. “Peace,” the Deputy Prime Minister asserted with conviction, “cannot be outsourced. Our challenges are inherently ours to solve, and the solutions we implement must be meticulously shaped by those who possess an intimate understanding of the terrain – not from afar, but from within.” He stressed that platforms such as CISSA are far from being merely symbolic gestures, but rather represent essential instruments for tangible progress.
According to the Deputy Prime Minister, the imperative for intelligence and security services to operate with seamless real-time communication, act in robust coordination, and cultivate a deep-seated trust that transcends mere protocol cannot be overstated. He further underscored the critical importance of sustained investment in national institutions, stating, “Modern threats demand modern tools. Our security services must be comprehensively well-trained, adequately well-equipped, and firmly rooted in the fundamental values of unwavering professionalism and strict accountability.”
Expanding on the broader context of security, Deputy Prime Minister Temesgen insightfully pointed out that “security is not simply the absence of war or conflict. True security encompasses the active presence of justice, the fundamental protection of human dignity, and serves as the indispensable foundation upon which we can build sustainable jobs, effectively educate our children, and collectively dream of a future that extends far beyond mere survival.”
Echoing these sentiments, Director-General of Ethiopia’s National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS), Redwan Hussien, provided a sobering assessment of the multifaceted security landscape that East Africa has confronted over the past decade. “Our region,” he stated emphatically, “is undeniably confronting some of the most intricate and persistent security challenges anywhere in the world. As we are all acutely aware, these pervasive regional threats do not recognize arbitrarily drawn borders, nor do they respect the inherent sovereignty of individual states.”
In light of this reality, Director-General Redwan stressed that the importance of robust cooperation cannot be overstated. “We must work together, with unwavering resolve and shared purpose, to effectively combat such complex and interconnected security threats.” He further emphasized that the diligent implementation of effective intelligence-sharing mechanisms is absolutely essential to proactively preempt potential crises before they have the opportunity to escalate and inflict further damage.
Acknowledging the formidable challenges that the region continues to face, the Director-General pointed out that the key to overcoming these deeply entrenched regional issues lies in a significant enhancement of multifaceted cooperation among the intelligence services of member countries and their trusted partners. In this crucial regard, Director-General Redwan affirmed that the current CISSA regional meeting presents a pivotal and timely opportunity to consolidate collective efforts as leaders of intelligence and security services. “I firmly believe,” he stated with conviction, “that continuous and adaptive institutional reform within our respective services is absolutely vital for effectively defending against emerging security threats and skilfully navigating the increasingly volatile geopolitical landscape that characterizes the Eastern Africa region.”
Adding a crucial continental perspective, the African Union Chief of Staff, Mohamed El-Amine Souef, affirmed the timeliness and critical importance of the high-level meeting. “The central theme of this vital gathering – enhancing regional security through robust intelligence cooperation – comes at a particularly critical juncture, a moment when our region, and indeed the entire African continent, is confronted with a myriad of complex and evolving security challenges,” he elaborated.
Underscoring the interconnected nature of security in the modern era, the AU Chief of Staff astutely noted that “security is not the sole concern of any single state; rather, it is a shared regional imperative and a collective global responsibility.” He concluded by firmly affirming the unwavering commitment of the African Union to actively support its member states in their endeavours to build resilient and effective cooperative intelligence networks, recognizing this as a cornerstone of lasting peace and stability across the continent.
It is known that East Africa is a geographically and politically complex region with a history of both cooperation and conflict. The diverse nature of the security challenges necessitates a multi-layered approach involving national, regional, and international actors. Strengthening intelligence capabilities, fostering trust among nations, and addressing the root causes of instability are crucial for long-term peace and security in the region. The on-going discussions and commitments at high-level meetings like the CISSA regional meeting signal a growing recognition of the interconnectedness of security in the region and the importance of collective action.
BY EYUEL KIFLU
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD THURSDAY 15 MAY 2025
