{Rwanda Minister of Defence, Hon. Gen. James Kabarebe on 16th September 2014 presided over the Closing Ceremony of the two day 4th Regional Military and Security Round-table for East Africa and the Horn of Africa. }
While addressing 30 high ranking military, academicians, civil society and policy makers from seven countries, he called for a regional security strategy to deal with terrorist groups and militias that are threatening the security of people. “Regional security cannot be attained unless the marauding militias in the region are eliminated” he said.
Hon Gen James Kabarebe also said that there is a correlation between weak states and terrorism arguing that weak states are a fertile ground and a safe haven for terrorists which has spillover effects to the neighbouring countries. “Effective regional security architecture should therefore embrace good governance” Gen Kabarebe told the Security Round-table that took place at Rwanda Peace Academy in Musanze district.
Minister Kabarebe also said that some criminal groups such as the FDLR are rarely named among terrorists organizations either because of people who want to sanitize it or because it is not regarded as a serious threat to their interests.
Speaking to the Media Lt Gen Rtd John Koech from Kenya described the conference as a rewarding session and said they discussed regional integration and security challenges and the way to shape regional Military and other Institutions to overcome those challenges. “We must stay together so that we all advance together to the same vision” he said.
The conference participants later visited Rwanda and DRC border in Rubavu District at Grande and Petite barrière and witnessed how different institutions such as Immigration, Police and other institutions work together in facilitating people to run freely their business.
The participants to the conference came from Ethiopia, Israel, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda.
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