Senior African officers, currently enrolled at the Zambian Defence Services Command and Staff College are in the country for a week-long study tour.

The 16 officers from Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Malawi, are in the country as part of their regional study tour to enhance their strategic military awareness.

They will explore various facilities including military establishments, economic infrastructure, culture and heritage as well as social and welfare amenities.

Yesterday, they visited the Gisozi Genocide Memorial centre where they paid tribute to the victims of 1994 Genocide against Tutsi, before meeting the Chief of Defense Staff, Lt. Gen. Charles Kayonga.

Col. Justine Pule Myenya, the head of the delegation, told reporters that Rwanda was selected because "there are a lot of developments to learn from, in terms of economic development and social structures present.”

"Rwanda is quite a progressive country. As brothers and sisters of one continent, we should be sharing ideas from time to time,” Myenya said.

At the RDF Headquarters, they listened to presentations on the RDF’s major engagements.

Lt. Col. Russel Chisenga, a staff officer of the Zambian air force, noted that after a presentation on the Horizon Group’s works, he realised that "in Zambia we have similar industries but we haven’t reached the level Rwanda has reached.”

"The RDF is so more involved in country service than the traditional military role of protecting the country.” Chisenga said.

The team was scheduled to visit and explore pre-deployment training for Peace Support Operation at Gako.

They will also visit other government ministries, industries such as Inyange, Utexrwa, as well as make a tour of the methane extraction plant in Lake Kivu.

Several Rwandan military students are studying in the famed Zambian Defense Services Command and Staff College.

Ends