Defence Joint Chiefs of Staff from the East African Community (EAC) states have convened in Kampala to discuss issues relating to regional security, peace and stability.
The EAC Sectorial Committee on Cooperation in Defence held its 27th meeting on Wednesday at Imperial Royale Hotel Kampala. It is being attended by delegations from Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and South Sudan.
Maj Gen Joseph Musanyufu the UPDF Joint Chief of Staff (JCOS) who chaired the Session thanked the various distinguished delegates who attended for honouring Uganda by allowing it to host the meeting.
He said that issues pertaining to peace and security are increasingly becoming critical in the region.
“Peace and security issues continue to pose a serious challenge within the region. These include terrorist attacks, cross border conflicts, internal violence all leading to loss of lives, displacement of persons and destruction of property,” Maj Gen Musanyufu noted.
He stressed that security must continue to be addressed to create a peaceful and secure environment.
“This state of uncertainty is a major negative factor in the development and progress of the region,” he said.
The UPDF JCOS pointed out that the development of the EAC Protocol on Cooperation in Defence Affairs is a highlight of the nations’ commitment to address security challenges within the region.
Regional efforts in the defence sector have achieved key milestones, he said, but highlighted the need to realize the objectives of deploying in conflict spots within the region as mandated by the EAC Protocol.
He challenged his counterparts to look critically at the various documents being presented to them by the experts in order to make well thought out recommendations to the respective Chiefs of Defence Forces.
Gen Musanyufu thanked the EAC Secretariat for the efforts in bringing the region together while preparing for this meeting.