Senior security officials from Rwanda, Kenya, and Uganda convened in Kigali on Thursday, September 5, for a two-day Defence Cluster meeting under the Northern Corridor Integration Projects (NCIP) framework. The gathering aimed to review progress on joint defence initiatives and assess the overall status of cooperation among the member states. ALSO READ: Rwanda, Kenya commit to enhance transport along Northern Corridor The discussions focused on the implementation of the tripartite Defence Pact, which outlines collaboration in critical areas such as conflict prevention, counter-terrorism efforts, and genocide prevention. The pact also addresses cross-border issues, such as piracy, the control of illegal small arms, disaster response, and intelligence sharing on both current and emerging threats. Representing Rwanda’s Minister of Defence, Brig Gen Célestin Kanyamahanga, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence, underscored the meeting's importance. Kanyamahanga noted that the meeting provided a platform to reflect on both the challenges and accomplishments faced during the execution of previous agreements. He urged participants to actively engage in discussions to find solutions to security challenges and enhance collaborative efforts for the benefit of all member states. The officials reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining strong ties, particularly in the areas of military training, joint exercises, operational coordination, and intelligence sharing. The Northern Corridor Integration Projects framework Defence Cluster remains a key mechanism for strengthening regional security through ongoing cooperation and joint initiatives within the defence sector.
