The Director of Eastern Africa Standby Force Coordination Mechanism (EASFCOM), Maj Gen (Rtd) Cyrille Ndayirukiye yesterday signed the Memorandum of Understanding with Director of Rwanda Peace Academy (RPA), Col Jill Rutaremara at the premises of RPA in Nyakinama, Musanze District. The Memorandum signed on 25 October 2013 is on conduct of training and research.
After signing the ceremony, the EASFCOM Director told the media that the memorandum signed with the RPA will help the EASFCOM to achieve its objective of carrying out functions of maintenance of peace, security and stability in the Eastern Africa Region. EASFCOM delegation toured RPA facilities before signing the MoD.
“Rwanda is experienced country in Peace Support Operations; the reason why we have signed agreement with this Training Institution to help us in training of Forces of the Eastern Africa Standby Force Member States to prevent and resolve conflict in the region”, noted Cyrille Ndayirukiye.
The Director of EASFCOM explained that the MoU signed will strengthen the existing good cooperation between Rwanda and the EASFCOM. He underlined that the EASFCOM could not lose the opportunity of using the recognised Regional Training Institution like Rwanda Peace Academy.
The council of Ministers of Defence and Security of the Eastern Africa Region during its 9th extra-ordinary meeting held in Kampala on 5thApril 2013 recognised RPA as an EASF Regional Training Institution.
Col Jill Rutaremara, on his hand, confirmed that the RPA is ready and committed to meet the MoU requirements. “The RPA shall focus on research and multidimensional and integrated training in PSO studies mainly at the strategic and operational levels”.
Photos/MoD
UM– USEKE.RW
