High-Level Delegation from the Kenyan National Defence College visits ZIF

On April 16, 2026, the ZIF hosted a high-ranking delegation from the National Defense College of Kenya in Berlin. The approximately 30 participants—mostly colonels, led by two generals, as well as representatives from Uganda, Tanzania, and India—are currently completing their General Staff Course in Germany.

The visit centered on an in-depth dialogue regarding geopolitical shifts and current security policy challenges. During the visit, different perspectives on the future of international peacekeeping missions were discussed and analyzed.

“I would like to thank the participants for the open and trusting exchange,” says Dr. Katja Niethammer, Deputy Director of the ZIF. “Especially in times of geopolitical upheaval, we need joint analyses from different perspectives.”

Kenya’s Commitment to International Peacekeeping

An important point of reference was the United Nations Peacekeeping Ministerial 2025, hosted by Germany, where Kenya demonstrated a strong commitment to international peacekeeping missions.

This commitment continues: The Kenyan training center recently joined the Global Alliance for Peace Operations (GAPO), co-founded by the ZIF. This membership strengthens international networking in peacekeeping.

Sudan Conference and Regional Security Dynamics

The outcomes of the 2026 Berlin Sudan Conference, which took place the previous day in Berlin, also drew significant interest. Delegations from 54 countries, as well as representatives of Sudanese and international non-governmental organizations, participated in the conference. In total, more than 1.5 billion euros in humanitarian aid was mobilized—an important signal in light of the ongoing crisis in Sudan.

Another key focus was on security dynamics in the Horn of Africa. Gerrit Kurtz from the German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP) provided analyses and insights to fuel the subsequent discussion.