A National Security symposium kicks off at RDF Command and Staff College, Nyakinama

The Minister of Defence, Gen James Kabarebe opened on 7th May 2014 a 3 day National Security Symposium conducted by RDF Command and Staff College at Nyakinama. The symposium is organized under the theme, ” Contemporary Security Challenges: The African Perspective”.

“The purpose of the National Security Symposium is to provide an opportunity to students of Senior Command and  Staff Course to interact with practitioners and subject matter experts in a wide range of areas which cover contemporary national, regional and international security issues” said the Commandant of RDF CSC, Brig Gen Charles Karamba.

He welcomed Senior Government and Military officials, renowned academics, research analysts and lecturers that came to interact with the students.

While opening the symposium, Gen Kabarebe said that the essence of leadership and National Defence Forces is Security and Stability of the Nation. Minister Kabarebe underlined that despite collective efforts to bring stability in Africa, the Continent and particularly the Great Lakes Region still face is security challenges. 

 He said that terrorists groups such as FDLR genocidal force, ADF/NALU, Al- Shabab   and Boko Haram threaten the regional security. He also mentioned intrastate conflicts in Somalia, Central Africa Republic, South Sudan, Mali and Libya.

He told the Students Officers that the Security Symposium will engage them to understand such security challenges that affect the military profession.

“By the end of the three-day Symposium, you will have gained enough tools to enable you perform your duties in the field, with clarity and understanding of the geo-political nature of contemporary security challenges on our continent. These are the real life challenges that you are going to work on in your deployment”, Minister Kabarebe told the military students.

The first day covered two topics commenced by “ Security and Stability in Great Lakes Region: Challenges and Prospects” by the Minister of Defence, Gen James Kabarebe as main speaker.  Hon Jacqueline Muhongayire, the Minister for East African Community and Mr. Omar Khalifan were discussants.

The second topic was: “Wars in Africa: Organised violence and conflict management” by the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Patrick Nyamvumba as main speaker and Dr. Theogene Bangwanubusa as discussant.

MoD

UM– USEKE.RW