Keynote Address by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs (International Affairs) also holding the Portfolio of Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Okello Oryem Henry

In a keynote address at a 2009 roundtable conference, Minister Okello Oryem Henry identifies key drivers of African security, including conflict management, economic integration, and the governance of natural resources. He advocates for a gradual process of African integration toward a 'United States of Africa' to enhance the continent's collective ability to face endogenous and exogenous threats. The Minister highlights specific risks such as water disputes over the Nile, border demarcation conflicts, and the need for sustainable funding for African-led peace support operations like the Africa Standby Force.

• The Minister argues that a politically and economically unified Africa is the most effective way to counter security threats, supporting a "gradual process of integrating Africa" to eventually realize a "United States of Africa" by 2030.
• Specific security threats identified include ongoing conflicts in the Great Lakes region and the Horn of Africa, as well as disputes over border demarcation and the management of natural resources, specifically citing the "waters of the Nile" as a potential source of conflict.
• The document emphasizes the interdependence of stability and prosperity, stating that economic development is impossible without peace and security, while peace and security cannot be durable without economic development.
• The Minister raises concerns regarding the operationalization and funding of the Africa Standby Force (ASF) and the broader Africa Peace and Security Architecture to ensure effective African-led peace support operations.
• Long-term continental security is presented as being dependent on the adherence to democratic principles, the rule of law, respect for human rights, and the establishment of strong institutions.

APA

Henry, O. O. (2009). Keynote Address by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs (International Affairs) also holding the Portfolio of Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Okello Oryem Henry. Institute for Security Studies. https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/OKELLOJUL09.PDF

Chicago

Henry, Okello Oryem. Keynote Address by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs (International Affairs) also holding the Portfolio of Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Okello Oryem Henry. Institute for Security Studies, 2009. https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/OKELLOJUL09.PDF.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |last1=Henry |first1=Okello Oryem |title=Keynote Address by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs (International Affairs) also holding the Portfolio of Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Okello Oryem Henry |publisher=Institute for Security Studies |date=21 July 2009 |url=https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/OKELLOJUL09.PDF |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{henry2009keynote, author = {Henry, Okello Oryem}, title = {{Keynote Address by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs (International Affairs) also holding the Portfolio of Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Okello Oryem Henry}}, publisher = {Institute for Security Studies}, year = {2009}, month = jul, url = {https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/OKELLOJUL09.PDF}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }