EAC INTELLIGENCE CHIEFS CONVENE FOR ANNUAL INTELLIGENCE CONFERENCE

Heads and representatives from East African Community (EAC) military intelligence agencies convened in Nairobi on May 27, 2025, for their annual meeting to deliberate on regional security and intelligence matters.

The conference was officially opened by the Vice Chief of the Defence Forces (VCDF), Lieutenant General John Omenda. The event provided a platform for EAC member states to review the current security landscape in the region and assess the implementation of previously approved security agendas.

In his opening remarks, Lt. Gen. Omenda welcomed the delegates to Kenya and encouraged open and active participation. He underscored the importance of the forum, calling it vital to reinforcing collective commitment to regional security and stability.

“We are dealing with common threats across the region and within the EAC. These threats—whether traditional or non-traditional—require a unified approach, and this forum is crucial for finding common ground in addressing them,” he said.

Major General Mohammed Burje, Director of Military Intelligence (DMI) Kenya and Chairperson of the conference, echoed Lt. Gen. Omenda’s sentiments. He emphasized the significance of intelligence-sharing and the benefits of regional cooperation in securing the EAC.

Delegates from member countries presented briefs on their respective national security situations. Common challenges identified included terrorism and violent extremism, armed insurgencies, cross-border crime, illicit trafficking, and ethnic and political violence. These issues, the participants noted, require coordinated military intelligence and policy responses.

The conference recommended strengthening capacity-building initiatives across member states and deepening intelligence-sharing mechanisms. Synchronization of efforts and responses to emerging threats was also emphasized as key to enhancing regional stability.

The East African Community is a regional intergovernmental organization comprising Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, and Somalia. It aims to foster economic integration, political cooperation, and security coordination among its members.

The conference will conclude with the signing of key agreements and policy documents by the intelligence chiefs as they work towards a safer and more secure EAC region.