BUJUMBURA January 19th (ABP) – Five major promises have been made by the Ministry of National Defense and Veterans Affairs (MDNAC) for fiscal year 2018, it was disclosed on January 18, 2018 to a check by ABP, by the MDNAC spokesperson, Colonel Gaspard Baratuza.
The first promise concerns the implementation of the organic law of the National Defense Force of Burundi (FDNB). Thus, MDNAC will continue to draw and propose regulatory texts to be put in place or revised to facilitate the effective implementation of the said law. This activity, said Colonel Baratuza, will allow the realization of the annual action plan of 2018 which, in its entirety, will be carried out in conformity with the new structures of the FDNB.
In addition, in order to maintain the high level of militancy, the MDNAC intends to organize the recruitment of new military members of all categories for the 2018 edition. The new recruitment, said the MDNAC spokesperson, will compensate departures to the retirement of military members who have reached the statutory age limit and will enable the FDNB to continue to fulfill its noble mission of defending territorial integrity and safeguarding independence, and guaranteeing national sovereignty.
The continued engagement of the FDNB in the region is also one of the key promises of the Ministry. Thus, the FDNB will participate in regional military exercises such as the EAC, Eastern African Standby Force (EASF), ECCAS (Economic Community of Central African States) through the preparation and execution of joint exercises by developing the operational capability of our soldiers who gain experience by becoming accustomed to working in a multidimensional environment.
Moreover, added Colonel Baratuza, in order to participate in the implementation of the national project “Ewe Burundi urambaye” (Burundi covered with trees), the MDNAC intends to organize the reforestation of the military domains and on the borders of the country in collaboration with the territorial administration as well as other key actors in the field.
In that way, MDNAC will contribute to the protection of the environment, but also to enhancing and protecting the military domains, as well as the materialization of the borders of our country through afforestation.
The other promise made by MDNAC is related to maintaining the operational capability of Burundian soldiers on peacekeeping missions. Thus, the MDNAC intends to equip units on mission outside the country with materials and appropriate equipments meeting international standards in order to remain competitive on the field and continue to enhance the image of Burundi in the concert of nations by ethics and professionalism.
abp ond / ynd JAN 17