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The Eastern African Community (EAC) Armed Forces Exercise dubbed « Ushirikiano Imara 2023 » officially commenced on 18 juin 2023 at the Rwanda Defence Force Command and Staff College in Musanze. The Exercise aimed at addressing the ever fragile and unpredictable state of global human security brought together over 300 participants from Five EAC countries namely Burundi, Keya, Uganda and the Host Nation Rwanda.
During the opening ceremonies, Burundi was represented by Ir. Alain Tribert Mutabazi, the Burundian Minister of National Defense and Veterans Affairs and Lieutenant General Jean Paul HABIMANA, Deputy Chief of Staff of Burundi National Defense Force. During the interview he granted to the media, Minister Mutabazi
indicated that this exercise is of great importance for Burundi. According to him, all components (military, police and civilian) will share and gain experience and knowledge from participants coming from other East African Community Partner States. In addition, this exercise will strengthen cooperation and reassure the East African Community Partner states populations that peace and security are ensured and guaranteed.
The Rwanda Minister of Defence, Hon. Murizamunda who was the Guest of Honor in the opening ceremoniy of the exercise emphased the urgency of concerted efforts to confront the challenges of terrorism, piracy, disaster management, peace and security in the East African Region. In his address, the Minister Marizamunda 
stressed the interdependance of nations and the imperative for collective action in the face of contemporary security challenges.He underlined that the exercise’s focus on peace support operations aligns with the ongoing efforts of international bodies such as the United Nations, the African Union and Regional initiatives to preserve global peace and security.
The event saw the presence of esteemed high-ranking officials from Military and Polices Forces, Senior Government Representatives, Diplomats and Delegates from the East African Community Secretariat. Notable attendees included Alain Tribert Mutabazi, the defence Minister of Burundi, markons Jacob Oboth, Uganda’s State Defence Minister, jacob John Mkunda (CDF) Tanzania Chief Defence Force, Lieutenant General Jean Paul HABIMANA, Deputy Chief ofStaff of Burundi National Defense, Lt General Jonah Mwangi, Deputy Chief of Defence Forces of Kenya and other Distinguished guests who expressed their support for the exercise.
The two-week exercise, held under the theme” strengthening the security sector integration and harnessing common interests consistent with EAC Regional Peace and Stability,” seeks to foster collaboration and enhance the defence capabilities of participating nations
Speaking during the event, Maj General Ally Katimbe, the representative of the EAC Secretary General outlined the exercise’s key areas of cooperation as military training, joint operations, technical operations and visits and the exchange of information. He emphasised the active collaboration among regional defence forces in bringing stability to various conflict-stricken areas such as Eastern DR Congo and Somalia.
It is worth mentioning that Ushirikiano Imara exercise of the EAC Armed Forces is built around a hypothetical scenario set in the east African state of Kangoma, currently grapping with a political crisis.The exercise focuses on peace support operations, counterterrorism, counter-piracy and disaster management.It involves 317 participants operating at Headquarter Combined Joint Task Force (CJTF) and contingents tasked with planning and executing activities outlined in Chapter VIII of the United Nations Charter with the aim of resolving the crisis.The regional mission overseeing the stabilization efforts in Kangoma, known as the Region Mission in Kangoma (REMIKA) and is led by Dr. Alice Urusaro Uwagaga Karekezi from Rwanda, as Head of Mission while Jean Claude Kanene from Burundi is the Deputy Head of Mission and Head of Civilian Component.
