Gms: Sudan Vision, 27 May

Honorable Lt. Gen. Abdul Rahim Mohammed Hussein
Minister of Defence of the Republic of Sudan
Distinguished Chiefs of Defence Staff of Eastern Africa Region
General Officers,
Invited Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
On behalf of the Government of the People of Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, I would like to welcome you to this Meeting of the Chiefs of Defence Staff of the Eastern Africa Region. I wish to seize this opportunity to express my heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to the Government and the People of the Republic of Sudan for hosting this meeting in this beautiful country.
As you are well aware for the last two decades, our Region has been prone to recurring and serves conflict and drought, it is in cognizance of the fact that EASF was established in order to mitigate the impact of conflict and war in the Region.
The lack of peace and security in many parts of Somalia and consequently the absence of Governmental institutions, have impeded effective response to the problem and challenges Somalia is facing. Peace and Security in the Region is a sensitive and unpredictable matter and we should not relent in our efforts towards the continuous process of developing and building adequate capacity to deal with these concerns.
Now, more than ever before, we need to look after brotherly spirit among ourselves and between us and our international partners in order to continuously enhance the quality of our forces. We should also appreciate that the given diversity of our culture and political orientation, we can differ, but where we differ let us so amicably and cordially as we strive to achieve consensus. Our region is contributing a lot to such cross border operations and assitaing and supporting the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia, and AMISOM to ensure the necessary environment for such as operation.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Let me take this opportunity to pay tribute to Uganda, Burundi, Kenya, my country and other partners for sacrifices they have made and continue to make these countries are spearheading the efforts of AMISOM and TFG to keep sustainable peace and security in Somalia as well as in the Region.
Today at this meeting we are going to discuss on the progress report and the Expert Working Group Recommendations. We shall analyse and weigh each matters presented before us critically and carefully to make well thought our recommendations that will benefit our institutions and the regions.
Finally, I wish fruitful discussion and the most pleasant stay in Khartoum.
I thank you.

H.E. General Samir Yonus
Chief of General Staff of Ethiopian Armed Forces
and CPO – EACDS