News Analysis By Leo Odera Omolo
More than 60 counter-terrorism security experts from East African nations have been meeting in the Tanzanian capital of Dar Es Salaam this week where they discussed ways and strategies of combating terrorism in the region and globally.
Lt.General Abdulrahaman Shimbo, the Chief of Staff of the Tanzania People¢s Defense Force{TPDF} was ealier in the week quoted by media houses as saying that the security experts were to discuss strategies and capacity building in peace and security for Eastern African region.
The six days meeting, which ended last evening {Thursday 12th September,2008} was attended by participants from Kenya, Uganda,Burindi, Rwanda and the host Tanzania.
Lt. Gen Shimbo was further quoted as explaining that the crucial security meeting was organized by the East African Community{EAC}, in line with implementation of the Community¢s memorandum of understanding on co-operation and defense.
The Dar meeting was the second in a series that are being held in the region to sensitize its people on security matters. The first one on disaster management was held in Uganda from August 25-29,while one on peace support operations is scheduled to be hekld in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi from September 15-18.
Another meeting on managing defense in a democratic society will be held in Rwanda capital, Kigali between October 20-24 ,while another one on conflict prevention, management and resolution will be held in Bujumbura, Burundi from September 17-22.
These series of crucially important securing meetings are being urgently organized on the understanding that Eastern Africa region is vulnerable to terrorism attacks by Al Qaeda operatives and agents believes to be operating from Somalia in the Horn of Africa, where the terrorists outfit operate theiur active cells in that ungovernable country of Africa.
Just a month ago, Kenyan security agents alerted their Tanzanian counterparts on one dreadful and dangerous terrorist Fazul Abdul Mohammed who is widely believed to be an Al Qaeda linkman in the region and who is suspected to have master minded the August 7, 1998terrorist bombing of the US embassies simultaneously in both Nairobi and Dar Es Salaam. However, intensive hunt for Fazul by both Tanzanian and Kenyan security agents did not yield in the suspected terrorist being nubbed. He was never traced despite concerted efforts by both Kenyan and Tanzania security agents. He is believed to be holed up in his hideout in one of Kenya¢;s coastal towns near Mombasa.
Dar meeting had coincided with the TPDF¢s 44 anniversary. The force has ever since its inception forty four years ago when it was launched by the Tanzanian founding president the late Dr. Julius Kambarage Nyerere contributed significantly to liberation struggles in Mozambique, Angola, Zimbabwe and in South Africa.
The TPDF has in recent years been actively participating in peace keeping missions in Darfur, Sudan and in Lebanon.
Most recently the TPDF, along side forces from Sudan, Senegal participated under the auspices of the African Union{AU} mandated ousting the self proclaimed Anjoan president Mohamed Bacar of the Comoros Island,
In 1979 and 1980, the TPDF joined hands with the Uganda exiled forces and fought the bloody war that ousted the former despotic ruler of Uganda the late Field Marshall Dr. Idi Amin Dada and brought down his murderous regime in Uganda.
Ends
leooderaomolo@yahoo.com
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Date: Fri, 12 Sep 2008 03:58:43 -0700 (PDT)
From: Leo Odera Omolo
Subject: REGIONAL SECURITY EXPERTS IN EAST AFRICA MET IN DAR ES SALAAM AND DISCUSSED THE STRATEGIES ON HOW TO COMBAT AL QAEDA TERRORISM IN THE REGION.