Writes Leo Odera Omolo
As precaution step to keep the terrorists infiltration on check, member states of the East African Community in collaboration with the American military experts launched a joint exercises in Zanzibar,Tanzania.
The joint exercise which was launched last Friday comes in the wake of complex that facing the region, including terrorism, piracy and natural disasters and calamities.
The East African Community may have a fundamentally development vision, it is a fact, however, that peace and security are the prerequisite for social and economic development, Tanzania’s deputy secretary general {Planning and Infrastructure}Dr Enos Bukuku said during the launching of the exercise ceremony held at Chukweni Military Center in the northern town of Arusha.
The official noted that various threats facing East Africa, the partner states have a collective responsibility to ensure the region is secure.
Also involved in the joint military exercise code named ”Natural Fire 11”,which brought together more than 300 personnel from the region, are officers the United States Africa Command {USAFRCOME} ,whose head of contingent, Brigadier General James Owns, emphasized the need to have a more stable and secure East Africa.
“This collaboration between the EAC defense forces and the US is another positive step towards a more stable and secure region. Let us ensure that what is gained here will have a lasting impact on the ability of our militaries to respond to complex challenges we face today and in the future,’ he implored in a speech made available to the newsmen.
Tanzania’s Minister for Defense and National Service Dr Hussein Mwinyi flagged of the command post exercise, hailing the EAC partner states continued cooperation in defense.
Dr Mwinyi also called for the speedy creation of a framework for cooperating with partners such as USAFRICOM.
“Peace, security and stability are the lynchpins for accelerating socio-economic development,” Dr Mwinyi asserted, adding;”It is this regard that the EAC partner states recognized that collective defense enhance regional peace and security.”
The Minister heaped a lot of praise to the US government calling it “ a good friend and strategic partner.”,
However, the Minister stressed that any assistance should complement EAC efforts, adding that defense cooperation with the bloc’s partners needs to be clearly structured.
The joint military exercise sees to develop the capability of EAC defense forces to respond quickly and efficiently to complex security challenges.
The exercise aims to enhance cooperation between the defense forces, civil authorities and international organizations.
The Zanzibar will focus on peace support operations, humanitarian assistance, and disaster response, counter terrorism and counter piracy. It ends on Wednesday this week.
Ends