Military and defence experts from East African Community member states started a four-day conference in Kampala to discuss regional security matters.
The meeting, according to the Uganda Peoples Defence Forces (UPDF), is pursuant to Article 10 of the EAC Protocol on Cooperation in Defence Affairs and in accordance with the EAC Calendar of Activities for the period July – December 2017.
“The purpose of the meeting is to further the Peace and Security Strategy that was adopted in November 2006, the Protocol on Peace and Security, as well as the EAC Conflict Prevention, Management and Resolution Mechanism adopted in January 2012 at the EAC joint meeting of the sectoral councils on Cooperation in Defence. It is also in line with the EAC Peace and Security Protocol set objectives for fostering regional peace and security,” a statement issued by the UPDF on Sunday indicated.
Under the protocol, the militaries from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda and South Sudan carry out annual activities intended strengthen regional security.
Military sources say the meeting will also discuss the situation in South Sudan and Burundi.
On Monday, the defence experts discussed operations and training of armed forces in EAC. The sectoral committee that is composed of permanent secretaries will meet on Wednesday.
