The recent Munich Security Conference has once again illuminated the marginalization of Africa in global security discussions, as conflicts in regions like Ukraine, Venezuela, the Indo-Pacific, and Greenland dominated the agenda. This sidelining comes despite ongoing conflicts within the African continent that demand international attention and support. Africa’s current security concerns are increasingly critical, yet they were barely registered in one of the world’s most significant security forums.

Experts like Jakkie Cilliers from the Institute for Security Studies voiced their concerns regarding this trend, noting that the conference's predominant focus on hard military security issues has overshadowed other pressing global challenges. Cilliers highlighted the need for Africa to forge security alliances beyond its traditional partners, signaling a call for greater engagement and recognition of the continent’s security dynamics in the international arena. The persistent view that Africa is a peripheral issue rather than a central topic for global security discourse is not only concerning but also detrimental to the continent's efforts to build a stable security environment.

As global powers, particularly China, show increasing interest in African conflicts and partnerships, it raises the question of how Africa can better position itself in discussions of global security. The lack of acknowledgment for African conflicts at major international platforms suggests a need for a concerted effort to elevate these issues. Addressing this oversight is crucial, not only for the stability of African nations but also for the international community, which cannot afford to overlook the implications of Africa’s security challenges in the broader context of global peace and cooperation.