A delegation of 30 Military Attachés representing 27 African countries accredited to the African Union (AU) are on a week – long workshop and study tour in Rwanda to address African conflicts.
The tour is aimed at seeking a solution to conflicts, a predicament shared by a number of countries on the continent.
Before the commencement of the workshop, the group paid a courtesy call to Rwanda’s Defence Minister Gen James Kabarebe on 8th July 2013 at his office in Kigali.
The Minister welcomed the delegation, wishing them a good stay in Rwanda and urged them to be open as much as possible during their formal or informal discussions.
Minister Kabarebe urged officers to understand the root causes of the conflict situation in the region, which he said would help them in coming up with recommended practical solutions to their policy makers.
He stated that conflicts get persistent because the solution prescribed is not based on the root cause of the problem, insisting that getting to the root of each conflict should be paramount.
The Dean of Military Attachés’ Association (MAA), Brig Gen Vincent Nundwe from Malawi told the media that good governance is very important in the stability of a country and that Rwanda is a role model.
He observed that most of the countries with good governance are actually stable.
“If you stabilise the country through good governance, it’s vey important.”
The Director of Rwanda Peace Academy, Col Jill Rutaremara, co-organiser, outlined the workshop and study tour’s objective.
These include gaining common understanding of Africa’s conflict situation; their mitigation, resolution and post-conflict peace building and sharing such experiences with a view to enhance the ability to contribute to conflict mitigation and conflict resolution.
The workshop and study tour in Rwanda comprises of a workshop to be opened on 9th July 2013 at the Rwanda Peace Academy training facility in Musanze and a field study tour to different parts of the country.
The delegation yesterday visited Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre and Peacekeeping Training Centre in Rwanda Military Academy-Gako.