Senior officers in the second intake of the Rwanda Defence Force Command and Staff College in Nyakinama, Musanze District have started a week-long study tour aimed at deepening their understanding of the history as well as social-economic and political issues of the region.

The tour, which runs from March 30 to April 6, is part of the curricula undertaken by each intake. It aims at fostering close friendship and cooperation between Rwanda and regional states, according to a statement.

"The objective of the tour is to comprehend the major social, cultural, political, diplomatic, economic, and military factors that shape the geo-strategic context in the selected countries,” the statement read in part.

During the tour, students will examine socio-economic and cultural challenges that are common to these countries and draw lessons with the ultimate aim to come up with solutions to the realised challenges.

About 70 participants, including students, are visiting Kenya while others will be in Ethiopia where they will visit various facilities. The students are from Rwanda, Burundi, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.