Posted in Press Release
A two-weeks regional Military Command Post Training Exercise codenamed Ushirikiano Imara 2015 concluded today at Kenya’s Humanitarian Peace Support School, in Embakasi, Nairobi.
More than 250 members of the armed forces, police and civilian components from the EAC Partner States took part in the joint command post exercise meant to practice participants in the planning and conduct of peace support operations, counter terrorism, counter piracy, media and disaster management.
The exercise was also meant to improve the capabilities to combat complex security challenges and sought to harmonise the working relationships and improve military interoperability between the EAC Partner States’ Armed Forces.
In his address to the participants and invited guests at the closing ceremony, Kenya’s Defence Principal Secretary, Amb. Peter Kaberia commended the EAC Secretariat for organising military activities within the framework of the EAC Protocol on Cooperation in Defence Affairs, among them the Command Post Exercises.
At the same occasion, Lt General Joseph Kasaon, the Vice Chief of the Defence Forces noted that training was an important aspect in the military and it was a major pre-occupation in peacetime.
Lt Gen. Kasaon, who was representing the Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Samson Mwathethe, said “the exercise came at a time when the region and indeed the continent was facing diverse challenges both military and ideological emanating from the changing nature of our society”, adding that ‘”the Northern part of Africa and the Horn are struggling with violet extremism that threatens to spread southwards and therefore we in the EAC are the buffer for the rest of Africa and must therefore stand together to ensure that peace and security prevails”.
The Vice Chief of the Defence Forces asserted that the modern day soldier was constantly confronted with a faceless and borderless enemy and therefore the need to have a concerted approach against the enemy and to remain steadfast in joint preparations to face the current and future challenges to the region.
On behalf of the Secretary General of East African Community, Amb. Dr Richard Sezibera, the Deputy Secretary General in charge of Political Federation, Mr Charles Njoroge reiterated that it was a great inspiration to the people of East Africa to see members of the Armed Forces together with the Police and civilians gathered under the auspices of the Community participating in the Military Command Post Exercise.
“This is a living testimony that EAC integration is moving towards greater heights and the event offered concrete hope and prospects for future integration and progress for the people of East Africa”.
He said the EAC Co-operation in Defence offers great scope and prospects for the consolidation of East African regional integration and development process. “It emphasises that we need unity, peace, stability and strength to defend our common interests”.
During the two-weeks exercise, several guests visited and shared with the Contigents on peace and security as a prerequisite for regional integration and development process, including Hon. Dr Augustine Philip Mahiga, the Chairperson of the EAC Council of Ministers and Minister for Foreign Affairs, East Africa, Regional and International Cooperation of the United Republic of Tanzania.
Kenya’s Defence Cabinet Secretary, Amb. Dr Raychelle Awuor Omamo graced the opening ceremony on 24th March 2016. Both the opening and closing ceremonies of the exercise were graced by Uganda’s 3rd Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of EAC Affairs, Rt Hon. Dr Ali Haji Kirunda Kivejinja, Ministers, Ambassadors, regional top military officers, and the media.
Posted in Press Release
The 4th High-Level Dialogue of the EAC Partnership Fund was held on Wednesday, March 25, 2016 in Dar es Salaam Tanzania. The dialogue was attended by Heads of Diplomatic missions accredited to the EAC and also members the EAC Partnership Fund.
The dialogue was co-chaired by the Norwegian Ambassador, H.E. Hanne Kaarstad and the EAC Secretary General Amb. Dr Richard Sezibera.
Addressing the Heads of Diplomatic missions, the Secretary General of the East African Community Amb. Dr Richard Sezibera expressed his appreciation for the support he has received from the development partners and noted that for the EAC Partnership Fund was more than monetary support. “The Partnership Fund is a forum for dialogue, creates avenues for discussing key integration issues and mobilizing political support for EAC regional integration”, added Dr Sezibera.
The EAC Secretary General noted the positive growth of the fund since 2011, and called on Development Partners to honour their pledges through actualizing pending disbursements which currently stand at 24% for the financial year 2015/16.
Dr. Sezibera underscored the importance of the basket fund to the EAC, noting the significant support the Partnership Fund has given to the EAC including: financial support to the Implementation of the Customs Union and Common Market Protocols; Private Sector development; finalization of the One-Stop Border Post regulations; negotiations and finalization of the EAC Monetary Union Protocol; institutional strengthening including the EAC Institutional Review; enhancing public awareness of the EAC; and development of EAC Vision 2050 among many other projects that have been completed or currently ongoing.
The Secretary General further disclosed to the Heads of the Diplomatic missions that the use of Video-Conferencing facilities at EAC has significantly reduced the need for physical meetings by one third, resulting in huge cost savings.
The EAC Chief called upon Trademark East Africa to join the Partnership Fund in order to better synchronize prioritization of EAC integration projects. Dr. Sezibera urged the Development Partners to provide technical and financial support to South Sudan being a young country joining the EAC.
In her welcome remarks, Amb. Kaarstad, on behalf of the Development Partners thanked the outgoing EAC Secretary General for the constructive cooperation and tirelessly promoting the work of the EAC as established in the Treaty and protocols.
“The large turnout this afternoon is a testament to a strong and continued interest in the EAC’s role and in the regional integration processes”, said Amb Kaarstad.
Amb. Kaarstad further emphasized, “the accomplishments of the Secretary General span all pillars of the EAC integration. The benefits of easier movement of people, goods, services and capital are the results. The EAC has under Dr Sezibera progressed in eliminating Non-Tariff Barriers, harmonizing common and external tariffs as well as standards and quality”.
Amb. Kaarstad noted that although the Development Partners account for 43% of final budget at the EAC, a small portion of this goes through the Partnership Fund.