The Minister of Defence for General Duties, Honourable Jacob Marksons Oboth, has hailed the East African Armed Forces for taking the lead in the regional integration process of the Community.
Oboth was speaking during an interview at the Rwanda Defence Command and Staff College, Musanze, at the closure of the Command Post Exercise “Ushirikiano Imara 2023.”
“All this shows that the EAC has succeeded in uniting the forces together. If we talk of integration, then the Defence Forces integrated many years ago. Continue to pursue the goals and objectives that bring our countries together,” he said.
The Minister underscored the importance of the exercise saying that the simulation exercise that was conducted is a pointer that the countries are now able to strategize, mobilize, plan and pull resources together in case of any eventuality.
The Deputy Secretary General of the EAC, Hon. Deputy Secretary General, Andrea Aguer Ariik Malueth, said that the planning and execution of the exercise is a testimony to further strengthen the cause of unity, common defence, security, peace which will provide a conducive and attractive environment for investment and development of the region.
“It is a great inspiration to the people of East Africa to see members of the Defence forces together with the Police and Civilians gathered under the auspices of the community participating in a Military Command Post Exercise. This is living proof that EAC integration is moving towards greater heights and the event has offered concrete hope and aspects for future integration and progress for the people of East Africa,” Hon Malueth said.
Col Stuart Agaba, an evaluator in the exercise, noted that the East African Community forces have exhibited a high level of professionalism in their command posts.
He urged the participants to inculcate the practices from the Exercise amongst their respective institutions such that they perform to their expected standards.
The Command Post Exercise “Ushirikiano Imara 2023” was held in accordance with the EAC Defence sector calendar of activities under the provisions of the East African Protocol on cooperation and defence affairs whose four pillars include: visits and exchange of information, military training, joint operations and technical cooperation.