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MOMBASA, Kenya (April 21, 2009) - His
Excellency, The President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed
Forces Hon. Mwai Kibaki officially opened the 2009 Land Forces
Symposium on April, 20, 2009 at the Mombasa Serena Beach Hotel.
The Land Forces' Symposium is an annual event that provides a
forum for senior land forces commanders and army chiefs of staff
from the United States, Horn of Africa, the Middle East and South
Asia to address topics of mutual interests.
The 2009 Land Forces Symposium (LFS) is being co-hosted by Lt.
Gen. Jackson Tuwei, Commander of the Kenya Army and Lt. Gen. James
Lovelace, Commanding General of U.S. Army Central.
The Kenya Army offered to host this year's event in conjunction
with U.S. Army Central (USARCENT). This is the 4th symposium to be
held since its inception in 2006 and the first to be held in
Africa. The opening ceremony was well attended by military
officials drawn from 23 partner states.
The President of Kenya stated that the symposium was being held
at a time when the region has recorded unprecedented number of
cases of piracy covering a large part of the East African Coast. A
development which he said has threatened sea transport - a basic
lifeline for several African States in the Region. He added that
trade and critical imports are seriously threatened by the rise of
Piracy in the area, an issue which the U.S. Ambassador Michael
Ranneberger reiterated by pointing out that piracy has its source
on land.
"It is imperative that the symposium comes up with ideas on how
best we can work together in addressing the problem of Piracy" said
the Kibaki, adding that he looked forward to the results of the
Land Forces Symposium.
The theme of the three-day conference is 'Land
Forces' Challenges in a Full Spectrum Environment.'
Prof. Macharia Munene a professor of History and International
Relations at the United States International University delivered a
stirring keynote address dubbed - 'Global Security Concerns
and Outlook.'
President Kibaki was accompanied by the Minister of State for
Defence, Hon. Mohammed Yusuf Haji, Minister of State for Provincial
Administration and Internal Security Professor George Saitoti, The
Permanent Secretary, Head of Public Service & Secretary to the
Cabinet Ambassador, Francis Muthaura, The Chief of the General
Staff, General Jeremiah Kianga.
Other senior government officials in attendance were the
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of State for Provincial
Administration and Internal Security, Mr. Francis Kimemia, the
United States, Ambassador Michael Ranneberger and the Commander
Kenya Navy, Major General Samson Mwathethe.
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