Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, former Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Mission in Darfur, has been appointed to the advisory council of the International Security Conference on Africa (ISCA).
The appointment was announced during the official launch of ISCA at a two-day forum held in Kigali, Rwanda, on May 19 and 20, 2025.
Gambari sees the launch of ISCA as an opportunity for Africa to reassess its position and capabilities in global affairs, particularly in its bid to secure permanent representation at the United Nations Security Council.
He noted Africa’s demand for five permanent seats on the council, with at least two seats carrying veto powers. According to Gambari, Africa has frequently faced the consequences of international decisions without having a voice in the multilateral decision-making process.
As chairman and founder of the Savannah Centre for Diplomacy, Democracy and Development (SCDDD), Gambari has been active in promoting African perspectives on global governance. In 2024, in partnership with the Washington D.C.-based Stimson Centre and other NGOs, he convened a three-day African regional conference in Abuja focused on reforms of the United Nations and the multilateral system. The SCDDD works on research, advocacy, and training related to peace, security, governance, and sustainable development in Africa and beyond.
Gambari has called for reforms within the African Union’s Peace and Security Council to strengthen the continent’s capacity for conflict resolution. He also supports the idea of making all United Nations peace operations in Africa hybrid missions, co-mandated and conducted by both the UN and the African Union, to enhance peace processes in the region.
He stressed the need for Africa to take its institutions seriously and reimagine its security architecture. During a courtesy visit to Rwandan President Paul Kagame at the State House in Kigali, Gambari urged African leaders to reflect on the original purpose behind establishing the continent’s peace and security framework and to demonstrate commitment toward a more peaceful, developed, and secure Africa.
Gambari, who also served as Chief of Staff to former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, stressed that Africa must understand its problems and develop home-grown solutions. While he acknowledged the value of partnerships, he insisted that lasting solutions require the continent to look inward.
The Kigali forum brought together continental and global defense, intelligence, and security actors to address pressing challenges and explore collaborative approaches for the future. ISCA facilitates roundtable discussions among experts, policymakers, civil society members, and academics, aiming to foster open debate on critical security issues, policy formulation, and regional cooperation.
