EAC leaders establish East African Peace and Security Council

Leaders from Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi on Saturday established an East African Peace and Security Council to address the security threats the region faces. Richard Sezibera, Secretary General of East African Community (EAC) told the 15th EAC Summit held here that the leaders had established the Council. "I commend Your Excellencies for agreeing in principal at this Summit to establish a Peace and Security Council for East Africa that will go a long way towards enhancing our region's capacity to deal with emerging threats," Sezibera said. The East African region faces security threats ranging from civil wars to terrorism from Somali militant group Al-Shabaab which is linked to Al-Qaida. An upscale shopping mall in the Kenyan capital Nairobi was in September attacked by the Al-Shabaab which killed over 60 civilians and leaving more than 175 others injured. In July 2010, the militant group claimed responsibility of the twin bomb attacks in the Ugandan capital Kampala that left over 70 people dead.