The Regional defence seminar held under the theme, ‘Managing Defence in a Democratic Society’, that convened on October 20 at Prime Holdings, has ended with a strong commitment to fostering regional peace and security.

The five-day seminar is the fourth of a series of seminars on capacity building for peace and security in the EAC partner states.

It was attended by distinguished Heads of Delegations from the five member States, and Senior Defence and Liaison Officers from the EAC Secretariat. 

Chief of General Staff (CGS) General James Kabarebe, who was also Guest of Honor, thanked the organisers and participants in the seminar for the dedication and commitment which made it a success. 

He recognised that the engagement of the senior officers will enhance the building and strengthening of the democratic structures that will result into a flourishing democracy in the EAC region.

"The topics that you have been discussing are indeed relevant. Your deliberations in this seminar, therefore, are critical in the realisation of peace and security in the region,” Kabarebe said.

He also assured the participants that as long as there is continuity in such seminars, there will never be need for violent conflict among member States.

"I wish to assure you that as long as the EAC States are cooperating among themselves in pursuit of human and economic development, they will have neither the reason nor cause to resort to violet conflict among themselves,” affirmed Kabarebe.

During the closing ceremony, Rwanda Defense Forces Spokesman, Jill Rutaremara, said that they have spent five days looking at the security problems that the region faces and that they have come up with resolutions that will be of great help as far as peace and security in the region are concerned.

"We identified issues like lack of good governance and sound economic policies that bring about poor defence management. We shall also have to stop considering national interests and agree on regional issues which will help in harmonising security policies,” he said.

The EAC human capacity building seminar on managing defence was convened pursuant to EAC defence council decision and in accordance with the EAC calendar of activities for the period of June-December 2008. 

Ends