{{A contingent of 2016 Rwanda National Police (RNP) and Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) officers arrived in Jinja, Uganda on May 9 to take part in the 2013 Eastern Africa Standby Force-Field Training Exercise (EASF-FTX) codenamed “Mashariki Salaam 2013.}}”
The contingent was received by the Director of the EASF Coordination Mechanism; Maj. Gen (retired) Cyrille Ndayirukiye, who wished them the “best” during the 18-day intensive Exercise.
He lauded member countries for honoring their commitment to send their officers to take part in EASF-FTX to further fight security threats in the region jointly.
“If they had not allowed your participation, our plans would remain on paper”, said Maj. Gen Ndayirukiye.
He explained that the Exercise is in line with the establishment of Eastern Africa Standby Force which will be fully operational in 2015.
The troops will be joining a regional multidimensional force comprising about 1,250 military, police and civilian components from EASF member countries.
Maj. Gen Ndayirukiye was accompanied by the Exercise Director, Brig Gen N. Lakala, the Force Commander, Brig Gen J. Bakasumba and the Police Commissioner Aster Andualem.
The Field Training Exercise – Mashariki Salaam 2013 literally translated as “peace in eastern – will officially be opened on May 19.
The Exercise,” brings together army and police officers from Rwanda, Kenya, Burundi, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Seychelles, Comoros and the host Uganda.
{RNP}
Leave a Reply