EAC Military Command Post Exercise codenamed Ushirikiano Imara 2016 concludes in Nairobi
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.