The Natural Fire 11 military exercise kicked off Friday Sept.16 at Chukwani Training Center in Zanzibar, Tanzania.
Approximately 350 participants from the EAC bloc and the United States are conducting training for the next four days, with the objective to equip the participants with the skills to conduct peace support operations, humanitarian assistance, disaster response, counter terrorism and counter piracy.
During the opening ceremony, the combatants paraded in front of the gathered senior military leadership from all six countries.
In a statement at the opening ceremony the Chief of Defense Forces, Tanzania People’s Defense Force (TPDF), General DA Mwamunyange stressed the importance of the five partner states to be able to respond quickly and efficiently to complex security challenges.
Gen. Mwamunyange stated his desire that the countries be able to foster cooperation among the EAC bloc.
The aim of the exercise is also to enhance the working relationship between civil authorities and international organizations as well as to improve military interoperability among the partner states’ armed forces.
Several speakers repeated the desire and the need to cooperate, share information, and learn from each other.
Brig. Gen. Owens, Deputy Commanding General, U.S. Army Africa remarked: “We must learn what to do, how to do it better, and how to overcome obstacles to getting it done,”
Deputy Secretary General of the East African Community (EAC), Enos Bukuku at the event noted: “It is a fact that peace and security are the prerequisites for social and economic development,”
Bukuku added that Natural Fire 11 bears great significance with regard to the broader goals and vision of a competitive, prosperous and united East Africa. Similar sentiments had been echoed by Brig.Gen.Owens.
“Ultimately the goal of this exercise is to improve our collective preparedness. When it comes to peace support operations, it is important to respond quickly and efficiently to complex security challenges,” said Owens.
“In just a little time we have been on the ground, I have been impressed with the professionalism and attitude everyone has displayed,” said Owens in his closing remarks.
The Minister of Defense and National Service for United Republic of Tanzania Hon Dr. Hussein Ali Mwinyi who was also the Chief guest recalled that regional peace and security is primarily guaranteed by a collective efforts which mobilize national synergies and reduces tensions between the states.
He added that the four things of Peace support operations, counter terrorism, disaster response and anti-piracy represent really problems whose effective solutions can only be found in a regional setting.
Rwanda is however, represented in this exercise by a contingent of 35 officers drawn from Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) and Brig. Gen. Mushyo Kamanzi from Rwanda is the Commander of the Combined Joint Task Force (CJTF) of the Natural Fire 11. The Exercise will end on 21st September.
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