MUSANZE-  Defence Liaison Officers from the EAC Secretariat in Arusha are presently holding the final planning conference for the East African Community (EAC) Command Post Exercise (CPX) in Musanze District.

The meeting, which opened on Tuesday, brought together five Defence Liaison Officers from the EAC Secretariat and senior officers from the five member states of the regional bloc.

The Command Post Exercise (CPX) is scheduled to take place at the Rwanda Military Academy in Nyakinama, from October 17-28 this year.

According to Defence and Military Spokesman, Lt Col Jill Rutaremara, delegates are looking at logistical and administrative components as well as exercise papers and exercise players nominated by respective partner states.

"The EAC CPX, will focus on the military preparedness of EAC partner states in responding effectively to complex security challenges that may erupt in the region,’’ Rutaremara said.

The meeting is in line with  the EAC Sectoral Council on Cooperation in Defence, held in Tanzania in November 2010, which decided that a Command Post Exercise of the  EAC be conducted in Rwanda.

Maj. Gen. Karenzi Karake, the Commandant of the Rwanda Military Academy-Nyakinama, will direct the exercise.

The planning exercise is aimed at enhancing the capacity of the EAC Partner States’ Armed Forces to conduct Peace Support Operations and to combat terrorism, piracy and natural disasters.

The October exercise will be followed by the 2012 EAC field training exercise to be held at Gako Military Academy in Bugesera District.

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