Addis Ababa: African air forces who visited Ethiopian Air Force’s major infrastructure works and facilities in Bishoftu town emphasized the importance of collaboration to strengthen their capabilities. Commander of Ugandan Air Force, Lieutenant General Charles Okidi told ENA that it was a pleasure for him to join the Ethiopian Air Force in its 88th anniversary of and the Future African Air Force Forum.
“It was a learning experience for me as we have shared ideas and witnessed the capabilities of the Ethiopian Air Force. And we shall look for better cooperation,” he elaborated. Moreover, he added that Africa is growing; so is the world environment changing, so we should think of consolidating our militaries together and for the better of us all.
Consolidating our collaboration with a forum such as this is really very important and of course, it is long overdue, the general stressed. Noting the collaboration among Africa countries is crucial, he said “it just shows that we can bring our communities together.” The principle of African solution for African problems is what we need to achieve for being self-sustaining in whatever we do, he said.
Lt. General Okidi also expressed his impression about the development of Ethiopian Air Force. “What we have seen at the Ethiopian Air Force is quite educative. We have drawn lessons which we will adapt in our country, I think the Ethiopian Air Force is elevating to another level,” he said. He further said that there are a lot of experiences we can share from Ethiopian Air Force, he stated. Commander of Air Force Botswana, Major General Hendric Thuthu Rakgantswana said that the airforce forum is huge step that has been trying to bring African air forces together.
“We look at our capabilities, we look at our efficiencies , we look at our challenges, we look at common problems and how to tackle those. So this is a huge achievement.” As an individual country you can have everything at your disposal, the major general said, adding, by participating at the forum here, we are kind of networking. We understand the importance of collaboration, because my neighbor has a certain capability, he said, adding “therefore “I can make use of assets to train my technicians and pilots to build a certain level of capability.”
