Uganda: Rwanda, Uganda and Kenya Sign Defense Pact
12 January 2014
Rwanda, Uganda and Kenya have signed a defense agreement meant to facilitate
joint countering of security threats. The agreement was signed in Kigali by
defense and security Ministers from the three countries after a one-day
closed-door meeting.
There was a ministerial session on defense and security earlier on Tuesday
in preparation for the signing.
It follows the three countries' commitment to implement several regional
projects under a tripartite arrangement, during a summit between the three
heads of state held in Kampala in June 2013. These include a single tourist
visa, a single customs territory launched last year as well as a joint
railway line project, oil pipeline, and use of national identity cards as
travel documents which came into force on January 1.
The heads of state from the three countries also agreed to fast track an
anti-threat pact by January 2014.
The agreement was signed by Rwanda's defense minister, James Kabarebe,
alongside his Ugandan counterpart Crispus Kiyonga and Raychelle Omamo, the
Kenyan Cabinet Secretary for Defense.
The ministers of internal security, Musa Fazil Harerimana of Rwanda, Aronda
Nyakairima of Uganda and David Kimaiyo, Kenya's Inspector General of Police
also signed a security agreement.
The parties have previously conducted joint military exercises, but putting
the defense cooperation on paper will allow them to conduct joint military
operations against elements responsible for insecurity in the region.
Minister Kabarebe noted that mutual defense and security pacts will help
uproot several armed groups responsible for insecurity in the region, citing
Rwanda's Congo-based rebels FDLR, Uganda's ADF-NALU, Al-Shabab militants and
several transnational criminal networks that require collective security
frameworks.
"Cooperation between our countries has brought real advantages to our
people. These advantages cannot be sustained unless there is peace and
security and the pact signed today will seek to address the security
challenges that may come with free movement of people," he said.
Kabarebe said there was a need to bolster the three countries to face global
issues with a common foreign policy. "There is need to be proactive in
addressing the slow pace of implementation," he said. "We must be inclusive
and outward looking because dealing with the current global issues requires
working together as a region."
CONGOKIN
Thé Mulindwas Communication Group
"With Yoweri Museveni and Dr. Kiiza Besigye Uganda is in anarchy"
Kuungana Mulindwa Mawasiliano Kikundi
"Pamoja na Yoweri Museveni na Dk. Kiiza Besigye Uganda ni katika machafuko"
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