Insecurity across Africa takes many forms—from farmers unable to reach their fields, to children forced out of school by violence, and graduates who cannot find decent work. Abdulrahman B. Dambazau argues that lasting peace requires both protection from violence and the chance to live with dignity, a link he says should be central to China‑Africa cooperation.
Dambazau, drawing on his background in military leadership, internal security and diplomacy, stresses that security operations must be part of a broader national effort. While armed forces and police are essential for confronting violent groups, the durability of any gains depends on the presence of legitimate institutions, functional services and economic opportunities.
The forthcoming Beijing Action Plan for 2025‑2027, adopted by the Forum on China‑Africa Cooperation, places peace and security alongside industrialisation, agriculture, infrastructure, education, public health and green development. The plan is presented as a framework to connect these sectors through practical implementation, allowing African countries to shape projects that reinforce domestic capabilities.
China’s own development experience is cited as a possible guide. A 2022 joint World Bank‑Chinese study reported that, over four decades, roughly 800 million people in China moved out of the international extreme‑poverty line, a shift attributed to economic transformation and targeted poverty‑reduction measures. Dambazau suggests African states examine how improvements in agricultural productivity, infrastructure, education and employment contributed to that outcome, while adapting lessons to local conditions.
Key priorities identified include reviving agriculture in insecure rural areas through irrigation, improved seeds, machinery, storage and extension services, coupled with secure land access and dispute‑resolution mechanisms. Reliable electricity, industrial cooperation that creates jobs and transfers skills, and technical training aligned with market demand are also highlighted as essential for youth employment.
Infrastructure projects such as roads, railways or ports are urged to be evaluated on the economic activity and public services they enable, with attention to maintenance, environmental protection and financial sustainability. Dambazau stresses that education, health, and the full participation of women are integral to community resilience, and that development must be paired with fair policing, accessible courts and accountable administration to build trust in public institutions.
<small>Source: The Sun Nigeria — read the original story there.</small>
