National Security Symposium kicks off at RDF Command and Staff College

The National Security Symposium 2017 has kicked off at Rwanda Defence Force Command and Staff College (CSC) in Musanze District, under the theme:”Contemporary Security Challenges: The African Perspective”. The three day conference was officially opened on 15 May 2017 by Hon Minister of Defence, Gen James Kabarebe.

In his opening remarks, Minister Kabarebe underlined the relevance of the symposium to College Students. “The Symposium on security is an opportunity for College students to engage in academic and yet practical real life security issues that affect our military profession.

By the end of the symposium you will have not only gained the requisite knowledge and skills, but you will have also sharpened your awareness and readiness in your quest for performing your duties on field, with clarity and understanding of the geo-political nature of contemporary security challenges on our continent”, he said.

Gen Kabarebe further said that many African countries have persistently experienced security challenges such as armed conflicts, terrorism, bad governance, transborder crimes, to name just a few.

“These and other human security-related problems in our region and other parts of Africa require appropriate response mechanisms from within Africa itself”, Hon Minister of Defence noted.

On his side, the RDF CSC Commandant, Maj Gen JB Kazura pointed out that the Symposium on security is a critical component of the security studies package taught at the College.

During the Symposium, Senior Command and Staff Course (SCSC) 5 students will have the opportunity of interacting with high level policy makers, security practitioners at strategic and operational levels, subject-matter experts and scholars in security studies.

On Day 1, the first session discussed “Contemporary approaches to fighting terrorism challenges and prospects”; with Lt Gen Robert Kariuki Kibochi, KDF Army Commander, Lt Gen Tukur Yusuf Buratai, Nigeria Chief of Army Staff and Brig Gen Joseph Nzabamwita, DG National Intelligence and Security Services as panelists.

The moderator of the session was Brig Gen Innocent Kabandana, Commander Special Operation Forces.

The SCSC 05 is composed of 47 Senior Officers (Major to Colonel) students of the, drawn from Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda.

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