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EAC defense ministers sign peace and security pact to combat terror groups

Reports Leo Odera Omolo

The East African Community Defense ministers have signed a peace and security protocol that will see the five partner states of Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi warning on peace and security threats, genocide and transnational crimes.

The move came in the background of reported increase in the activities of the Alqaeda supported Al-Shabaab terrorist group said to be slowly extending their infiltration and activities into the hitherto peaceful stable United Republic of Tanzania.

Ugandan defense Minister Dr Crispus Kiyonga who is one of the signatories said by signing the agreement, partner states will cooperate on peace and security issues as well as collaborate with the international and regional security agencies.

“EAC member states will therefore be required to develop common measures program and strategies and enter into agreement for the effective implementation of the early warning mechanism ,”The Ugandan Minister added.

A recent report by the EAC head of Anti-Narcotic and human trafficking units indicated the drug dealers have penetrated the region transnational crime is the main challenge to peace and security in the region, a threat to one country is viewed as a threat to the whole region.

Article 24 also, of the EAC Treaty, states that a threat to one country is a threat to the whole of the region.

The objective of the protocol is to promote peace, security and stability within the region, and the good neighborliness.The protocol also states that partner states will manage and seek to resolve any conflict between two or more partner states,or within foreign countries, through peaceful means in consultation with the Security council of the African Union and the UN Security council any conflict

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