Regional security chiefs in Kigali to discuss pact

Defence and police chiefs from Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda met in Kigali yesterday to discuss a common defence and security pact that will help combat terrorism and cross-border crime in the three countries.The pact will also put in place mechanisms to safeguard the regional infrastructure that the three countries plan to put in place, including a railway line and oil pipeline, among others.The three-day in-camera meeting will lay ground for a meeting of Defence ministers who will scrutinise and endorse the document before the end of this month, as agreed by the respective Heads of State in October, last year.While opening the meeting, Defence minister James Kabarebe said the region’s development must be accompanied with significant actions toward the creation of lasting peace and security against cross-border crime and terrorism.“One of the distinctive features in Africa was lack of solidarity and unity. Our region has experienced wars, terrorism and in the case of Rwanda, we suffered the genocide against the Tutsi, while the perpetrators, FDLR, are still active (in neighbouring DR Congo) with their genocide ideology,” Kabarebe said.“The recent social economic development experienced in our region cannot be sustained unless the peace and security beyond personal safety for our people is created, to enable them experience peace of mind, which will help them to plan for a better future.”He added that although there was “nothing new to discuss,” it was time for each member State to contribute to regional peace through close cooperation in order to protect regional gains such as the single customs union and free movement of goods and people.“Today, the security sector has made significant strides alongside other sectors in our region. However, there are common threats such as regional and international terrorism, cross border crimes that require close coordination to be able to protect the citizens,” Kabarebe said.“We should ensure solidarity and pool resources within our fraternity. Our commanders-in-chief have entrusted us with this important task of having a common defence and security pact by the end of January 2014.”Officials from Uganda and Kenya were not willing to talk to the media.Tackling terrorismThe Defence and Military spokesman, Brig. Gen. Joseph Nzabamwita, told journalists that once the security pact is in place, it will pave way for joint defence operations against terror threats experienced by any of the three countries.“If we cooperate in defence matters, any single threat is confronted by the three respective countries. If we face transnational crimes and threats, then we confront them together. Actually this is the purpose of creating this pact. It is the end of all these evildoers,” Gen. Nzabamwita said.Following the initiative to use national identity cards to traverse the three countries which went into effect beginning this month, several citizens welcomed the development but called for tightening of security, saying that the eased movement may be taken advantage of by cross-border criminals.Explaining the absence of Tanzania and Burundi, the other two members of the East Africa Community, Gen. Nzabamwita suggested that they were yet to show interest, but said once the pact is implemented, its benefits may attract the two countries.“Look at this development in a positive way; for example, if they notice the positives coming out of crossing the border while using a national ID between Rwanda, Kenya and Uganda, they will want to come on board,” Gen. Nzabamwita said.“In the meantime, we are focused on implementing this security pact for the people of Rwanda, Kenya and Uganda, and once the other states show interest, they are welcome.”The pact falls under the trilateral initiative that is aimed at fast-tracking the integration process of the EAC.

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Regional security chiefs in Kigali to discuss pact