Discours de SE SINDIMWO Gaston lors de la clôture des jeux militaires

REPUBLIC OF BURUNDI

OFFICE OF THE FIRST VICE-PRESIDENT

SPEECH BY HIS EXCELLENCY GASTON SINDIMWO, FIRST VICE-PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF BURUNDI, ON THE CLOSING CEREMONY OF THE 11th MILITARY GAMES AND CULTURAL EVENT 2017

SEPTEMBER 05th, 2017

Honorable Ministers of Defense of EAC Partner States here present;

The Representative of the Secretary General of East African Community;

Honorable Members of the Parliament of the Republic of Burundi;

Chiefs of Defense Force of East African Community Partner

States;

Members of Diplomatic Corps;

Distinguished Heads of Delegation;

Mayor of Bujumbura Capital city;

Generals Present;

Officers Present;

All Participants to the Event;

Distinguished Guests, all Protocol Observed;

Ladies and Gentlemen

Good Morning

On behalf of His Excellency the President of the Republic of Burundi and Commander –in -Chief that I am highly pleased and honoured to represent and on my own behalf, allow me to express my gratitude to all of you for honourably taking part in this Official Closing Ceremony of the East African Community Military Games and Cultural Event 2017 held in the Republic of Burundi.

Allow me to commend the East African Community Defence Forces for the wonderful work they have done to plan, organize and conduct this regional event of paramount importance.

Let me also express my sincere thanks to the East African Community Secretariat as well as all the EAC Partner States for playing the important role and for facilitating this outstanding regional event to happen as planned and expected.

Distinguished Guests
Ladies and Gentlemen

As the East African Community Military Games and Cultural Event is conducted annually on rotational basis, in accordance with Article II of the EAC Protocol on Cooperation in Defence Affairs, the Republic of Burundi is more than happy to successfully have hosted the EAC Military Games and Cultural Event for the second time.

Participation of troops in this event upholds the spirit of friendship, solidarity and esprit de corps among the Partner States’ Armed Forces. That spirit is helping us to broaden and deepen EAC integration as One People who has One Destiny.

Even in other sectors, EAC Armed Forces work internally together. I can mention the Command Post Exercises and Field Training Exercises conducted on rotational basis too. Just to remind that we have already operated together in several continental missions such as in South Soudan, Darfour and Somalia to face security challenges.

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Today, EAC Partner States have reached a very high level of integration due to the commitment of their leaders and citizens. Besides admirable activities in defence matters, EAC has made encouraging progress in economic, social, health, educational and political sectors to name but a few.

Allow me to encourage all EAC Partner States to continue working hard because the ultimate goal of our community is a Political Federation of the East African States that will lead us to sovereignty, prosperity and sustainable development. We then all need to go ahead and positively progress towards that goal.

Coming back to the defence sector, we promise that we will continue to support you in the accomplishment of the military activities stipulated in the EAC Protocol on Cooperation in Defence Affairs. These activities include: Joint Operations, Technical Assistance, Visits and Exchange of Information, Sports and Cultural activities, Exchange on Training Experiences to name but a few.

EAC Partner States Leaders are indeed encouraged when they realize that, through these events, we are gradually reaching the benefits of the integration because these events amplify deeper and longer conventional cooperation between our Armed Forces.

Allow me once again to thank the Defence Forces’ members of EAC Partner States, the EAC Secretary General and his entire staff, all stakeholders involved in defence matters for their dedication and commitment to assist the community. This event would not have been prepared and successfully conducted without their treasured determination.

Let me also thank the Burundi Minister of Defence, and the Chief of Burundi National Defence Force as well as their entire staff, for the work well done to facilitate the planning and the successful conduct of the EAC Military Games and Cultural Event 2017.