Security organs from the East African member states (EAC) including the Armed Forces, police personnel, Prisons, Immigration and civilians’ delegates this Tuesday commenced a three-day Initial Planning Conference (IPC) for EAC Armed Forces Field Training Exercise (FTX) USHIRIKIANO IMARA 2024.
The conference at La Palise Nyamata in Bugesera District brought together at least 65 delegates from EAC member states.
Brig Gen Baptist Ngiruwonsanga, the Head of the Rwandan delegation welcomed delegates to the conference, reiterating Rwanda’s readiness and commitment to host the training exercise for its 13th time.
Col William Rusodoka, the representative of the EAC Secretary General said that the Initial Planning Conference is the second stage of planning process of EAC Exercise meant mainly to practice EAC Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) at operational and tactical levels in order to enhance the state of readiness and interoperability of EAC Partner States’ Armed Forces, Police, Civilian Components and other stakeholders in responding to complex security challenges.
The IPC is expected to consider exercise write-up, timelines, proposed budget on logistic support, Civil- Military Cooperation projects to be carried out during the conduct of the FTX. The Conference will also discuss administrative and logistics plan and conduct guided survey of the Exercise sites.
The meeting is being held in accordance with Article 2 of the EAC Protocol on Cooperation in Defence Affairs and pursuant to the Defence Sector Calendar of activities.
