A Rwandan contingent made of forty-three military and policemen is part of the team that completed an integrated military exercise codenamed “Ushirikiano Imara” yesterday in Nairobi.
A one week exercise that took place at Embakasi military barracks brought together participants from the East African Community member states aimed at undertaking a courses in Peace Support Operations, Disaster Management, Counter terrorism and Counter piracy in order to enhance the capacity of the regional forces in combating contemporary emerging security challenges in the region.
While addressing participants at the closing ceremony attended by political leaders and chiefs of Defence Forces from the EAC partner states, Amb Kirimi Kaberia, Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Defence, Kenya congratulated all participants for making the exercise a success.
He said” the lessons learnt will one day pay dividends when we will be required to address emerging security challenges in our region as one nation”.
He further said that security is the lead pillar in the pursuit of the EAC spirit of cooperation and full integration and called for continued training engagement among EAC militaries.
The EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Political Federation, Charles Njoroge said that
“EAC Military Exercise is a living testimony that EAC integration is moving towards greater heights and the event offered concrete hope and prospects for future integration for the people of East Africa”
At the ceremony, Rwanda Government was represented by Amb James Kimonyo, High Commissioner of Rwanda to Kenya and Brig Gen Charles Karamba, the RDF Air Force Chief of Staff.
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The EAC Military Exercise brought together 250 participants and Rwanda was represented by 43 military, police and civilian component led by Brig Gen Vincent Gatama.
