Regional countries have varying capacities which, if properly harnessed, can enhance regional peace and security.

This was said yesterday by Foreign Affairs minister Louise Mushikiwabo at the opening of a two-day regional military and security meeting for for the East and Horn of Africa.

The conference, taking place at Rwanda Peace Academy in Musanze, brought together over 30 high ranking military and security officers, academicians, policy makers and other security stakeholders from seven countries of East Africa and the Horn of Africa.

It aims at deepening their understanding of the role of the military and other security agencies in promoting regional peace and security, according to Col. Jill Rutaremara, the director of Rwanda Peace Academy.

"Our respective countries have varying capabilities, which, if harnessed can help promote regional peace and security, a pre-requisite for regional development,” Mushikiwabo said.

She said that though each country should promote national interests, there was need to create a synergy to strengthen regional cooperation and integration given the shared security threats, resources, and cultural as well as historical ties.

"Regional countries have to choose between building synergies through regional cooperation and integration based on shared regional interests, or scattered and narrow interests,” she saidShe urged various security sector stakeholders; the military, the police, correctional services, civil society, researchers and academics, to play a part in ensuring regional security.

Mushikiwabo commended regional governments for the steps so far taken to ensure regional security but urged them to remain focused and consolidate the gains made.

Brig. Gen. Joseph Nzabamwita, the Defence and Military spokesperson, said participants will deliberate on the causes of conflict and new emerging threats.

"The discussions will help regional countries address security challenges,” Nzabamwita said.

He said this will be helpful as coming after EAC tripartite states (Rwanda, Uganda and Kenya) signed the mutual defence pact for the establishment of the East African standby force which is expected to be operational by December this year, with over 5,000 troops contributed by member states.

Recommendations from the meeting will be shared among regional countries.

The meeting was organised by Rwanda Peace Academy in partnership with the Advocates Coalition for Development and Environment (ACODE) and Bradford University, UK.

It was organised under the theme; "Regional Peace and Security: Building Synergies and Capacities for the Military and other Security Agencies”

Participants are from Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania and Isreal.