EAC member states Armed Forces exercise “Ushirikiano Imara” winds up

Musanze, 26 June 2023

EAC member states Armed Forces, police personnel and civilians today concluded a two-week long Command Post Exercise (CPX) “USHIRIKIANO IMARA” in Musanze district.

While officiating the closing ceremony, Minister of Defence of the Republic of Rwanda, Hon Juvénal Marizamunda said that the exercise has reinforced the notion that through collaboration and mutual support, partner states can overcome any obstacle that threatens the stability and security of our region. 

“By engaging in integrated exercises, we have not only honed our operational efficiency but also forged strong bonds of trust and friendship among our military, police and civilian personnel. The problem of ensuring common security has been a matter of concern for all ages but the twenty-first century has defied all the benchmarks as we knew them,” said Hon Marizamunda.

He added that the exercise serves as a testament to partner states' shared determination to enhance interoperability and consolidate their collective security response mechanisms and procedures.

The exercise aims at enhancing interoperability in joint planning and conduct of operations, practicing EAC Standard Operating Procedures at operational and tactical levels and promoting EAC integration agenda and its awareness among the key objectives.

Five contingents from Burundi, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda (which is the host) brought together over 600 army, police and civilian participants.