The Chiefs of Defence Staff Meeting Opens in Kigali

The Committee of Eastern Africa Chiefs of Defence Staff (EACDS) conducted its meeting in Kigali, Rwanda on 26th July 2018. The meeting, which forms part of the 24th Ordinary Session of the EASF Policy Organs, was graced by H.E. Gen. Patrick Nyamvumba, the Chief of Defence Staff of the Rwanda Defence Forces.

In his opening speech, Gen. Nyamvumba emphasized on the need to effectively address and manage the conflicts affecting the Eastern Africa region and the African Continent as a whole. The nature of conflicts is changing and evolving rapidly involving an array of non-state actors, he said. Gen. Nyamvumba encouraged the Chief of Defence Staff to review the common response to these changes in order to come up with well thought out recommendations to the Council of Ministers. This effort would immensely contribute in enhancing peace, security and stability in the region and beyond.

The EASF Director Dr. Abdillahi Omar Bouh updated the Eastern Africa Chiefs of Defence Staff on the progress the organization has made since the last Policy Organs' Meetings held in the Republic of Djibouti earlier this year.

The meeting was chaired by Maj. Gen. James Nakibus Lakara, Commander of Uganda Rapid Deployment Capability Center. The EACDS meeting will be followed by the Council of Ministers of Defence and Security meeting which is the last of the 24th Ordinary Session of Policy Organs Meetings.

Photo Gallery: The Chiefs of Defence Staff Meeting Opens in Kigali