EAC states implement joint anti-terror strategy
President Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania (L) greets President Uhuru Kenyatta in Arusha on April 30, 2014. Tanzania tour operators will now access JKIA as KQ resumes normal flights to the country immediately, following a a meeting between Presidents Uhuru and Kikwete Saturday in Windhoek, Kenya's foreign secretary Amina Mohammed has said. PHOTO | PSCU
What you need to know:
- President Kenyatta said the region has resolved to send a firm message to the perpetrators of terrorism
ARUSHA
The East African Community member states have resolved to implement a common anti-terrorism strategy to combat terror and other transnational crimes.
The decision adopting the Regional Counter Terrorism Strategy was reached at the 12th East African Community Extraordinary Heads of State Summit held in Arusha, Tanzania on Wednesday.
The Summit was attended by President Uhuru Kenyatta, Presidents Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania and Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, First Vice President of Burundi Prosper Bazombaza and Prime Minister of Rwanda Pierre Habumuremyi.
They jointly condemned the terror attacks that have targeted Kenya and promised that the five countries will undertake joint measures to make the region safer.
“The summit calls on security agencies of the member countries to increase the areas of cooperation to fight terrorism, insurgencies and transnational crimes” said the Secretary General of the EAC Dr Richard Sezibera in a communiqué read at the close of the Summit.
In his address as the chair of the Summit of the EAC Heads of State, President Kenyatta said the region has resolved to send a firm message to the perpetrators of these vile crimes.
“I speak for all when I say that we will spare neither resources nor effort in bringing these criminals the firm justice they deserve” he said.
He said the protocols on cooperation in defence, and in peace and security, are the expression of the common determination to end the threats posed to the region.
“We affirm our united will to secure the Community, and we will continuously review our strategies to close off the threat of this menace” said President Kenyatta.
The Regional Counter Terrorism Strategy, which has been under discussion for some time, was adopted today by the EAC Council of Ministers before being endorsed by the Heads of State Summit.
Cabinet Secretary for East African Affairs, Commerce and Tourism Phyllis Kandie who is the current chairperson of the EAC Council of Ministers said the strategy “addresses the critical matter of regional security in respect of which the preparation of an action plan must be expedited – given the growing magnitude of insecurity”.
She said the adoption of the strategy was informed by the continued threat posed to the region by terrorism.
Kenya has stepped up police operations against illegal immigrants and criminal networks to reduce the threat posed within its borders after a series of bombings and the daring attacks on Westgate shopping mall last year.
In 2010, more than 70 people were killed by twin bombs in a Kampala hotel that targeted people watching the Fifa World Cup finals on television.
