Jinja, 25 May 2013

Gen. Moses Ali, the Ugandan Second Prime Minister said that international terrorism, cross border crimes constitute menace to African peace and security. He calls for regional efforts and urged Africans to look for promotion of the “lasting solutions to the challenges” the Continent is facing.

Gen. Moses Ali said this in the colourful closing ceremony of the Eastern African Standby Force Field Training Exercise “Mashariki Salam 2013” on 25th May in Jinja barracks (Uganda).

In his closing remarks, the Deputy Prime Minister, Gen. Moses Ali said that natural disasters can happen in any country and the neigbouring country can come and help, “this is the part of the job, Eastern African Standby Force is prepared to do in the future”, stressed the 2nd Prime Minister who was the Guest of Honor in the just concluded regional multidimensional and multinational Exercise where more than 1200 military, police and civilian personnel from Burundi, Comoros, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Seychelles, Somalia, Sudan and host Uganda participated from 9th to 25th May 2013.

The newly appointed Chief of Defence Forces of UPDF (Uganda People’s Defence Forces), Gen. Katumba Wamala who also attended the closing ceremony of the EASF FTX said that the major objectives of the exercise were achieved. He noted that the turn up (participation) of the EASF Member States to this Exercise indicates how EASF is strong and ready to meet its own challenges. There might shortfalls but we are ready to move, said Gen Wamala.

The Exercise Director, Brig Gen Lakara said the Exercise’s objectives were achieved despite challenges “the participants performed extremely well, bravo for the job well done”, said the Exercise Director. He noted that the participants were exercised in four themes of the Exercise (Peace Support Operations, Disaster management, Counter terrorism and Counter piracy) as to enhance the understanding and practice a multinational/multidimensional peace support operation (PSO) concepts and improve the interoperability among the Eastern Africa Forces.

Before closing ceremony, on 24th May, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) of Rwanda Defence Force, Lt Gen Charles Kayonga together with the Ugandan State Defence Minister, Gen Jeje Odong and EASF officials visited Rwandan Contingent in Mawagala Buikwe District (Sector 3 Headquarters). The visiting Officials received a brief presentation by the Sector 3 Commander, Lt Col W Ryarasa. The officials expressed their satisfaction in the Sector Visitors book. Gen Odong wrote “Impressive” while the RDF CDS and Lt Gen I Koreta congratulated the Rwandan Contingent, “A very good job well done”, congratulations”.

The EASF FTX Mashariki salam 2013 was set to test EASF on its path towards full operational capability by 2015. In the closing ceremony of EASF FTX “Mashariki salam 2013”, Maj Gen Martin Nzaramba represented the RDF Chief of Defence Staff.