8th REPAM-CDS Conference: Parliamentarians Addressing Emerging Security Challenges in Africa
Theme: Security and Governance of Natural Resources in Africa: Parliamentarians and the New Dynamics of International Security
Location: Abuja, Federal Republic of Nigeria
Dates: July 1–4, 2025
A Changing Security Landscape
Africa is undergoing a profound transformation in its security environment: conflicts over natural resources, inter-state tensions, growing cyber threats, and the emergence of new security partnerships are shaping an increasingly complex context. In this environment, parliaments have a vital role to play in designing, monitoring, and evaluating national and regional security strategies.
A Strategic Platform for African Parliamentarians
The 8th Conference of the Network of African Parliamentarians from Defense and Security Committees (REPAM-CDS) took place from July 1 to 4, 2025, in Abuja. The event brought together over 50 parliamentarians, experts, and technical partners from more than 15 West and Central African countries to strengthen parliamentary capacity in addressing current and future security challenges.
Key Objectives of the Conference
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Provide a platform for interparliamentary dialogue on emerging conflict dynamics in Africa.
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Enhance parliamentary capacity to legislate on security and resource governance issues.
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Promote best practices in conflict prevention, cybersecurity, and regional cooperation.
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Strengthen the role of REPAM-CDS as a parliamentary actor for peace and security in Africa.
Conference Highlights
July 2 – Opening Ceremony and Thematic Panels
The opening ceremony featured high-level statements from representatives of the Nigerian Parliament, the REPAM-CDS, and the Konrad Adenauer Foundation. The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria delivered an official message of support to the network.
Thematic panels addressed:
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Natural Resources and Insecurity: Militarization of resource extraction, community tensions in mining areas, transparency, and parliamentary oversight of extractive revenues.
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Regional Instability: The DR Congo–Rwanda conflict, the crisis between the Sahel States Alliance (AES) and ECOWAS, and the influence of regional and external actors.
July 3 – Technology, Cybersecurity, and Parliamentary Responsibility
Discussions emphasized:
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The urgent need for legal frameworks on cybersecurity.
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The oversight role of parliaments in addressing cybercrime, disinformation, and electoral manipulation.
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Stronger cooperation between legislative and executive branches in national security governance.
Institutional Visits
Delegations visited Nigeria’s National Assembly, the National Counterterrorism Centre, and the Office of the National Security Adviser.
A new REPAM-CDS leadership team was also elected:
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President: [to be completed]
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Vice Presidents and Members: [to be completed]
Key Recommendations
The conference produced several strategic recommendations:
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Harmonize legal frameworks across Africa on natural resource governance and cybersecurity.
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Strengthen cross-border parliamentary cooperation for conflict prevention.
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Establish permanent parliamentary committees on security issues.
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Promote continuous training for parliamentarians on security-related topics.
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Advocate for stronger parliamentary involvement in regional and international peace and security dialogues.
Conclusion
The 8th REPAM-CDS Conference was a significant moment of strategic exchange, parliamentary engagement, and network building in the field of security governance. It elevated the role of parliamentarians in the security discourse, produced concrete policy proposals, and deepened inter-institutional collaboration. The election of a new leadership team marks an important milestone in the institutional consolidation of REPAM-CDS as a key security governance actor in Africa.
Through its SIPODI programme, the Konrad Adenauer Foundation reaffirms its long-term commitment to supporting parliamentary initiatives in security, conflict prevention, and inclusive governance across the African continent.
