{The two week East Africa Community Field Training Exercise (FTEX) dubbed “Ushirikiano Imara 2014” in which a Rwandan Contingent of 370 personnel from the military, police and civilians participated was officially closed on 24 October 2014 by the President of the Republic of Burundi, H.E Pierre Nkurunziza at Mwaro barracks in Mwaro Province. The EAC Secretary General, Dr Richard Sezibera, was also present as well as other different dignitaries.
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In his closing remarks, the President of the Republic of Burundi commended the strides made in Defence Cooperation. “Through these exercises, we are gradually reaching the benefits of regional integration”, he said before noting that the EAC Partner States have to work hard for the ultimate goal of the regional integration, the political federation.
President Nkurunziza also declared that more than 1900 military, police and civilians were exercised in planning and conducting peace support operations, disaster management, counter piracy and counter terrorism at multinational and multi-dimensional level.
“All Exercise players have worked successfully”, he said. H.E Pierre Nkurunziza congratulated the FTX “Ushirikiano Imara 2014” participants for having changed the dreams into reality. He underlined that the Exercise that brought together EAC Armed Forces was conduct in a spirit of friendship and solidarity (esprit de corps).
The Exercise Director, Maj Gen Cyprien Hakiza observed that the objectives of the Exercise of enhancing interoperability between the EAC Partner States Armed Forces and other key stakeholders have been achieved. “All Components performed well”, he said.
In his remarks, the EAC Secretary General, Dr Richard Sezibera hilighted that “through its activities, the Defence Sector has been at the forefront of setting the pace for integration under cooperation in Defence by the EAC Partner States, guided by a Memorandum of Understanding”. He said that the Exercise enhanced the operational readiness of the EAC Partner States Armed Forces.
The closing ceremony was characterised by military parade, cultural dance and exchange of gifts.
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