United force to quell conflicts

Military commanders from Eastern Africa are in Nairobi to put final touches on the establishment of a united force to deal with conflicts on the continent.

Once in place, its troops will be deployed to trouble spots within 14 days after violence breaks out.

Deployment of soldiers will also be ordered in areas where gross violation of human rights is noted such as in Kenya’s post-election violence at the beginning of the year.

African Union

The commanders from 13 countries are meeting under the auspices of the African Union.

Plans are also under way to build an even larger force comprising 35,000 soldiers, 1,000 police officers and 1,000 civilians to be deployed as peace-keepers.

Defence permanent secretary Nancy Kirui on Wednesday said the fast deployment would be part of the stand-by brigade.

“The AU mandate provides for intervention in genocide situations where the international community does not act promptly,” she told the meeting.

“The scenario demands that the military force be deployed within 14 days after the mandate is given,” she added.

Kenya has started training 2,000 soldiers to be seconded to the force expected to be in place next year.

The larger force will be known as East African Stand-by Brigade and the other Rapid Deployment Unit.

Restore peace

The AU has organised similar meetings in North, South, Central and West of Africa.

“Next month, 200 military commanders from different countries will meet in Nairobi to examine common guides that have been adopted by their respective armies,” said the head of political affairs with the brigade’s coordination board, retired colonel Peter Marwa.

After the rapid deployment, members of the brigade will be sent to trouble spots within 30 days.

Top commanders in the region have so far identified Somalia as a clear case of a country that requires immediate intervention to restore peace once the brigade is formed.