1. Prime Minister Holness Emphasises Collaborative Approaches at Jamaican Annual Security Seminar
During a speech given at the annual security seminar on 07 February, Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness emphasised the importance of collaboration between stakeholders in helping Jamaica tackle its ongoing security problems. Held under the theme of “Organised Violence and the Threat to Peace in Jamaica and the Region”, the one-day seminar was attended by more than 100 experts from the security and law enforcement sectors. In his address, Prime Minister Holness explained that the factors required to improve Caribbean security “require collaboration…and that’s what this seminar is about, bringing together not just the security experts and professionals and practitioners but to bring together a diverse set of personnel thinking and policy experts so that we can properly understand this problem and to collaborate on a solution.”
2. UK and Nigeria Hold Second Security Defence Partnership Dialogue
Following a successful first session in London from 31 January to 02 February, Nigeria’s Office of the National Security Adviser (OSNA) held a second UK-Nigeria Security Defence Partnership Dialogue in Abuja on 07 February 2024. Attended by Nigerian National Security Advised Mallam Nuhu Ribadu and British Deputy National Security Adviser Sarah Macintosh, the dialogue aimed to develop comprehensive regional security solutions based on “shared values and mutual respect” between the two countries. In his opening speech, Minister Ribadu hailed the event as “another significant milestone in the enduring partnership between the two nations, united in our unwavering commitment to regional, continental, and global security, stability, and peace.”
3. Ten Officers Killed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police Station Attack
During the early morning hours (local time) of 05 February, at least ten officers were killed following an hours-long assault against a police station in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. According to regional police chief Akhtar Hayat Gandapur, the attacks were launched at approximately 0300hrs, first with sniper fire, followed by grenades. Mr Gandapur added that the unidentified militants reportedly attacked from three different directions, and briefly had control of the police station during the two-and-a-half-hour-long battle. Authorities have not yet determined the identity of the attackers, or whether the attack was staged in relation to Pakistan’s ongoing general election.
4. HMS Spey Visits Colombo to Commemorate 75 Years of UK-Sri Lanka Relations
On 08 February, the British Royal Navy’s HMS Spey docked in Colombo to celebrate 75 years of formal relations between the UK and Sri Lanka. HMS Spey's crew hosted a demonstration evening and reception for the Sri Lankan delegates, which included Sri Lanka’s Defence Minister, Premitha Tennakoon as Guest of Honour, and Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera, the head of the Sri Lankan Navy. Discussions were also held between the two parties to increase their understanding of combined operations and assessing current capabilities. During the reception, HMS Spey’s Commander Paul Caddy commented that "like the UK, Sri Lanka has an important role in upholding the Rules Based International Order, particularly at this moment where we are working together on maritime security challenges in the southern Red Sea and our cooperation within the Combined Maritime Force is growing."
5. New Zealand and Samoa Formally Renew Statement of Partnership
On 09 February, New Zealand's Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Samoan Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa signed a renewed Statement of Partnership in the Samoan capital city of Apia. Foreign Minister Peters explained that the Statement of Partnership sets out the priority areas for cooperation over the next four years, which include areas such as climate change, human and economic development, and regional security. In his statement, Mr Peters elaborated that "as well as outlining our intent to work together on issues of mutual interest - such as climate change, human and economic development, and responding to an increasingly complex security environment - the Statement also reiterates New Zealand's commitment to support Samoa to deliver a successful Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting later this year."