Kenya and Angola Sign Defence Pact as Regional Security Cooperation Expands

Kenya, May 25, 2026 - Kenya and Angola have signed a Defence Cooperation Agreement (DCA) aimed at strengthening military collaboration, peace support operations, and regional security coordination amid evolving security threats.

The agreement was signed in Nairobi by Defence Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya and Angola’s Minister of National Defence, Former Combatants and Homeland Veterans, Gen (Rtd) Lúcio Gonçalves Amaral.

In a statement, Ms Tuya said the pact marked “a significant milestone in the deepening of our bilateral ties” and demonstrated the two countries’ commitment to enhancing regional peace and stability.

“The Agreement reflects our shared commitment to enhancing regional peace, security, stability, and broader defence cooperation in the face of evolving global and regional security dynamics,” she said.

The DCA establishes a framework for cooperation in military training, defence diplomacy, peace support operations, capacity building, and strategic engagement among other areas.

The signing ceremony at Defence Headquarters in Nairobi was witnessed by Angola’s Ambassador to Kenya Mario Azevedo Constantino, Assistant Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces in charge of Operations, Doctrine and Training Maj Gen Fredrick Leuria, and senior military officials from both countries.

The latest agreement comes as Kenya intensifies regional and continental defence partnerships amid growing security challenges including terrorism, transnational organised crime, and instability in parts of Africa.

Two days earlier, Ms Tuya held bilateral talks with Rwanda’s Defence Minister Juvenal Marizamunda on the sidelines of the East African Community Armed Forces Command Post Exercise Ushirikiano Imara 2026.

During the meeting, Kenya and Rwanda reaffirmed the importance of the Kenya–Uganda–Rwanda Mutual Defence Pact in strengthening coordinated responses to terrorism, piracy, organised crime, disaster response, and intelligence sharing.

“We welcomed the continued cooperation between the Kenya Defence Forces and the Rwanda Defence Force in the areas of capacity building, intelligence sharing, and counter-terrorism efforts,” Ms Tuya said after the talks.

She added that Kenya remained committed to strengthening defence partnerships with regional and international allies in pursuit of lasting peace and stability.