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Military Chiefs Root for African Force

The Nation (Nairobi)
NEWS
17 August 2007
Posted to the web 16 August 2007
Nairobi
An African peacekeeping force should be formed within the next three years,
military chiefs resolved in Nairobi Thursday.
Defence ministers from Eastern Africa could adopt the resolution in discussions
to be held today.
The stand-by force, comprising five brigades, would be available for deployment
to war-torn countries across the continent.
"It should be ready and operational by 2010," said the Kenyan Chief of the
General Staff Jeremiah Kianga.
His Ugandan counterpart Gen Aronda Nyakairima, who is also the chairperson of
the region's chiefs of defence staff meeting, said there was urgency to deploy
soldiers in Darfur, Somalia and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Presently, Gen Nyakairima noted, Inter-Governmental Authority for Development
(Igad) was overwhelmed and the stand-by force was essential in promoting
regional peace.
The force would also be essential in dealing with terrorism and natural
disasters, said Gen Nyakairima.
Defence minister Njenga Karume, who opened the forum, noted: "This region has
in the past been referred to as the hot spot of Africa due to many conflict
that has adversely affected the socio-economic development of our people."
He added: "It is in our interest that peace and security is promoted not only
in the region but in Africa as a whole."
Mr Karume said the idea of establishing the African stand-by force was noble
and should be supported by all.
"I urge all member states to prepare their troops and to also honour their
contributions to the common fund in order to take the process forward," he
said.
Military chiefs from France and the United Kingdom were also represented at the
meeting.
It was also attended by officials from the African Union, East African
Community, Regional Centre on Small Arms (Recsa) and GTZ.
Other member countries include the Seychelles, Burundi, Rwanda, Djibouti and
Comoros Islands.
So far, the delegates were told, the brigades headquarters have already been
set up.
Presently, there are 1,700 Ugandan troops in Somalia under the auspice of the
AU.
"It's just an iota compared to the current security challenge. Countries which
promised to contribute troops ought to hurry and save lives of the people and
boost the confidence amongst the delegates of the on going reconciliation
conference and transitional federal Government," said Gen Nyakairima.

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