East African Armies Prep for Joint Drills in Jinja

Over 360 Personnel from the military, police, prisons, immigration and key civilian stakeholders from all the six East African Partner States are set to participate in a joint military training exercise in Jinja, Uganda starting on November 4 till 17, 2019.

Uganda’s deputy army spokesperson Col Deo Akiiki said the Objectives of the 12th Edition East African Community Command Post Exercise (CPX), code named Ushirikiano Imara 2019 are, among others, to “promote the EAC integration agenda, its awareness, interoperability of the EAC armed forces and to improve their readiness in responding to complex security challenges in the region.”

The EAC CPX 2019 will cover peace support operations, counter terrorism, counter piracy, and disaster management.

The CPX is conducted under the framework of the EAC Protocol on Co-operation in Defence Affairs.

The Protocol is one of the interventions aimed at promoting the EAC integration agenda.

Under this framework, Partner States agreed to cooperate in all Defence affairs and collaborate with international and regional organizations to promote peace, security and stability in the Community.

Akiiki said the areas of cooperation agreed upon are “military trainings, joint operations, technical co-operation and visits and exchange of information.”

Separately, the Partner States also conduct Field Training Exercise (CPX) as an activity under cooperation in military trainings.

The hosting of the CPX and Field Training Exercises (FTX) is rotational among the EAC Partner States.

Tanzania hosted the last military exercise in 2017/18.

The EAC CPX 2016 was hosted by Kenya. The exercises have been conducted since 2005.