President Paul Kagame on Tuesday called on Air Force Chiefs from Africa and beyond currently in Kigali to prioritize partnerships saying that the benefits of working together were clear in many ways. The head of state was addressing the top military brass alongside several delegates who are in the country for the 11th African Air Chiefs Symposium. The symposium, the 11th of its kind, is being held under the banner of the Association of African Air Forces (AAAF) and was organized in partnership with the United States Air Forces in Europe - Air Forces in Africa (USAFE-AFAFRICA). In his remarks, Kagame said that strategic airlift is a critical component for the maintenance of peace and security on the continent, particularly for peacekeeping operations. “Nevertheless, our airlift capabilities are limited, and this affects the ability of African air forces to respond rapidly to security threats,” he added. Rwanda has in the past been commended to be among the world’s largest and capable peacekeepers in the United Nations Peacekeeping missions. Transnational security challenges Kagame further highlighted that many of Africa’s emerging security challenges are transnational in scope and no one country has the resources to respond to them alone. “We must therefore prioritize partnerships because the benefits of working together are clear.” Meanwhile the head of state emphasized that during the next days of the symposium, discussions should be held within the wider context of Africa’s socio-economic development trajectory. “Security and prosperity are two sides of the same coin. You cannot have one, without the other.” This year’s symposium is a unique opportunity for not only strategic dialogue but also gives the chance to coordinate ways through which countries can benefit mutually, said General Jeffrey L. Harrigian U.S Air Forces Africa Commander. “Strategic airlift has enabled us to be faster, agile and more importantly brought us together. Building partnerships is a journey and here we deepen those relationships.” Gen Jean-Jacques Mupenzi, Rwanda Air Force Chief of Staff echoed similar sentiments. “Strengthening Air defense is critical to ably respond to the security challenges of our times. Rwanda is proud to be a member of the Association of African Air Forces.”
