EAC Regional Military Exercise Ushirikiano Imara officially open in Burundi

Gen P Nyamvumba, Rwanda Defence Force Chief of Defence Staff was among EAC Military and Political leaders that graced the official opening of the EAC military exercises in Burundi Friday 18 October 2013.

The Second Vice President of the Republic of Burundi, H.E Gervais Rufyikiri officially opened the EAC Military Exercise codenamed “Ushirikiano Imara 2013”.

Speeches by different dignitaries emphasised EAC solidarity with Kenya following recent terrorists attack. One minute was observed in remembrance of the victims of the attack.

In his remarks, Vice President Rufyikiri said that the presence of 5 contingents from EAC partner states to grace the exercise is a sign of solidarity and shows that ”EAC countries are on right way working under one destiny”.

He congratulated the Armed Forces and stakeholders in their work to jointly build skills and capacity to solve evolving security challenges such as civil wars, terrorism, robbery, human trafficking, and mutiny and religion conflicts.

He recalled that EAC countries share a lot in common according to their geographical situation. Whatever happens to one country has impacts on others, he said. He also reminded that the end state of EAC will be having one currency, one federal government and one defense.

The EAC Secretary General, Dr Richard Sezibera said that cohesion among EAC governments, particularly harmonized defence trainings and military cooperation send a strong message to the enemies of peace, that EAC is ready to defeat them. Speaking on recent terrorists attack in Kenya, Sezibera called for solidarity “Terrorists thought this was an attack on Kenya. It was an attack on all of us” he said.

The EAC Secretary General said that this is time for regional countries to defend the lives of their citizens from the hands of enemies of peace. Dr Sezibera congratulated EAC countries for contribution to peace in different parts of the world like in Somalia, Darfur, Haiti and other places. He said that EAC can build on this experience to bring peace in the region.

Maj Gen Gaciyubwenge Pontien, Burundi Defence Minister hailed good achievements in EAC defence cooperation. He mentioned among others, information exchange, harmonization of military trainings, sharing of facilities and reciprocal visits.

Gen P Nyamvumba later toured Rwandan Contingent Command Post. He was happy with the professionalism and hard work exhibited by the Contingent. He encouraged them to be good ambassadors of the country by making good performance.

The two weeks EAC Command Post Exercise Ushirikiano Imara 2013 is taking place in Muzinda barracks, 19 km away from Bujumbura town. 269 EAC military and key stakeholders including police and civilians are participating in the exercise on peace support operations, counter terrorism, counter piracy and disaster management.

MINADEF.