Official Closure of the 19th Chief Instructors Workshop

The 19th ACoC Chief Instructors Workshop hosted by the Command and Staff College – Tanzania was officially closed on 31 July 2026 by Maj Gen Dr Amri Salim Mwami on behalf of the Chief of Staff of the Tanzania Defence Forces (TPDF). During the five day Workshop, delegates from 12 ACoC member colleges had time for consideration and deliberation of the various matters as directed by the 19th ACoC held in Kigali, Rwanda in November 2025. The Workshop discussed about exchange programmes for both Students and Directing Staff that included mechanism to expand regional initiatives into a comprehensive continental framework. Other matters discussed were; joint research reports that were to be conducted by formed groups, establishing a research scientific committee that would be mandated to oversee the various research reports by ACoC members colleges to mention but a few.

Prior to the official closure, the Workshop Chairperson, Col Jafari Ramadhani Aristide, Chief Instructor of the Command and Staff College – Tanzania had time to say a final word to the delegates. He praised unwavering commitment by the members of the workshop during the meeting. The Workshop Chairperson stated that the workshop reaffirmed the existence of common goals of our Command and Staff Colleges. He was confident that the deliberations reached indicated the continued cooperation among our Defence Forces across Africa. He urged the participants to cherish this kind of spirit.

The ACoC Chairperson, Maj Gen Steven Justice Mnkande, who is the Commandant Command and Staff College – Tanzania in his remarks, expressed pleasure to have hosted this year’s Workshop. He briefed that the Workshop met for consideration of the many deliberations made by the 19th ACoC in Kigali. He appreciated the commitment demonstrated by the delegates during the workshop. The Chairperson further said that he had confidence that the deliberations reached by the Workshop would result in the outcomes envisaged by the ACoC.

On his closing speech the guest of honour, Maj Gen Dr Mwami expressed his sincere pleasure to have the opportunity to officiate the closing ceremony. He expressed his gratitudes to the Chief of Defence Force for the support and facilitation that made the Workshop be successfully hosted by our College. The guest of honour expressed his hope that the ACoC would align its common goals with the African Standby Force. He was convinced that for the past five days the delegates discussed and deliberated on the matters and issues of concern to both individual regional blocks and the continent as a whole. After officially closing the workshop, he then wished the delegates safe travel to their respective home countries.