Dakar is preparing to host a major strategic event for the future of the African continent. The 10th edition of the Dakar International Forum on Peace and Security in Africa will be held on April 20 and 21, 2026, at the Abdou Diouf International Conference Centre (CICAD), under the chairmanship of the Head of State, His Excellency Mr. Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye.

Placed under the theme "Africa facing the challenges of stability, integration and sovereignty: what sustainable solutions?", this edition promises to be one of maturity, in an African and global context marked by profound changes and multifaceted threats.

The official launch took place in Dakar

The official launch of preparatory activities took place this Thursday, February 5, 2026, in Dakar, presided over by the Minister of African Integration, Foreign Affairs, and Senegalese Abroad, Cheikh Niang. This initial phase marks the beginning of a broad process of reflection and consultation on the challenges of peace, collective security, and governance on the continent.

Addressing an audience of senior officers, diplomats, academics, members of civil society and media representatives, the head of Senegalese diplomacy praised the relevance of the chosen theme and the strategic importance of the Forum.

"It is with great pride and a deep sense of optimism that I proceed today with the official launch of the 10th edition of the Dakar International Forum on Peace and Security in Africa," the minister said.

A forum that has become an African reference point

Created at the joint initiative of the Senegalese and French heads of state, the Forum was launched in December 2013, with the ambition of offering Africa a high-level strategic platform dedicated to reflecting on the continent's security challenges.

Since its first edition in December 2014, the Forum has gradually established itself as an essential event, bringing together heads of state, political decision-makers, experts, international partners, private sector actors, and representatives of civil society. For Cheikh Niang, this momentum has helped consolidate Senegal's position as a true diplomatic hub in Africa, dedicated to dialogue, mediation, and security cooperation.

A tense global and African security context

The 2026 edition will take place in a particularly complex environment. Minister Cheikh Niang recalled the persistence of security crises, particularly in the Sahel, the rise of terrorism and violent extremism, transnational organized crime, but also the combined effects of geopolitical, climatic, health, economic and technological crises.

"Today, no part of the world is spared from the turmoil. For Africa, this means persistent structural challenges and growing systemic threats," he stressed.

Faced with these changes, the question of African sovereignty now stands out as a priority not only on the political and territorial level but also in the continent's ability to make autonomous choices, adapted to its realities and aspirations.

Sovereignty, integration and stability at the heart of the debates

The theme chosen for this 10th edition aims to examine models of cooperation, mechanisms of collective security, the challenges of regional integration and the need for sustainable African responses to hybrid and transnational threats.

This reflection also aligns with the Senegal 2050 National Transformation Agenda, which places sovereignty and African integration at the heart of endogenous development.

An ambitious and inclusive format

The preparation of the Forum is entrusted to a steering committee, chaired by the Secretary General of the Ministry, with the support of the Centre for Advanced Studies in Defence and Security (CHEDS) for scientific coordination.

The program includes: an official opening ceremony, a high-level panel chaired by the Head of State, two plenary sessions, six thematic workshops led by African and international experts, and a closing session devoted to strategic conclusions and recommendations.

As it approaches its 10th edition, the Dakar Forum is asserting itself more than ever as a space for strategic dialogue intended to make Africa's voice heard and to contribute to building a fairer, more balanced and truly shared world order.