On 14 August 2025, Chief of the Defence Forces (CDF) General Charles M. Kahariri held high-level bilateral talks with General Michael Langley, Commander of the United States Africa Command (US AFRICOM), at AFRICOM Headquarters in Stuttgart, Germany.
The meeting reaffirmed the enduring strategic partnership between Kenya and the United States in advancing peace, stability, and security across the Horn of Africa and its maritime domains. General Langley commended the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) for their sustained contributions and sacrifices, particularly in peace support operations in Somalia, highlighting their pivotal role in shaping regional security outcomes. He underscored the importance of sustained, multilateral cooperation to consolidate and safeguard the hard-won gains in the Horn of Africa, reiterating that as a Major Non- NATO Ally (MNNA) Kenya remains a critical strategic partner to the United States.
General Kahariri thanked the United States Government and US AFRICOM for their steadfast support to regional stability. He expressed concern over the recent drawdown of troops under the African Union Support Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), warning that it could undermine years of progress. While noting that some Troop Contributing Countries, including Kenya, have entered bilateral arrangements with Somalia to temporarily bridge the gap, he stressed that such measures are unsustainable without enhanced international backing. He urged the global community to renew and strengthen its commitment to the Somali peace process and broader Horn of Africa stability efforts.
At the same venue, the CDF and Commander AFRICOM formally released the inaugural Joint Communiqué from the African Chiefs of Defense Conference (ACHOD), marking a significant milestone in coordinated action among African and international defense leaders. The communiqué was signed on August 14, 2025, in Stuttgart, Germany.
Co-signed by General Charles M. Kahariri, Chief of the Defence Forces of Kenya, and General Michael E. Langley, Commander of U.S. Africa Command, the document captures priorities agreed upon by 38 African delegations during ACHOD 2025 in Nairobi. While the conference concluded in May, the communiqué signals the start of a sustained effort to transform dialogue into concrete action ahead of ACHOD 2026.
“This is more than a record of what was discussed,” said Gen. Langley. “It is a shared commitment to move forward together, build on progress, and deliver results that strengthen security across Africa.”
The communiqué outlines five priority areas:
Renew and Expand Security Partnerships Across Africa and Globally: Enhancing coordination among regional organizations, civil society, the private sector, academia, and communities.
A Common Vision for Security with Shared Resolve Toward Implementation: Standardizing doctrine, expanding information sharing, and revitalizing multilateral cooperation.
Inspiring Innovation Against Emerging Threats: Leveraging technology to counter cyberattacks, environmental challenges, and disruptive tactics.
Strengthening Defense Institutions: Professionalizing forces, enhancing multiagency operations, and reinforcing civil-military relations.
Promoting African Leadership in Securing the Continent: Advancing African-led, whole-of-society approaches with targeted partner support.
Gen. Kahariri noted, “This communiqué focuses our collective energy. It identifies where we must act and where we can lead together.”
The Joint Communiqué will guide military engagement, innovation, and institutional reforms over the next year, providing a framework for measuring progress at ACHOD 2026.
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