Member States urged to Strengthen East Africa Standby Force

ADDIS ABABA – The Chief of Ethiopian Defense Forces Field Marshal Birhanu Jula said the East Africa Standby Force (EASF) should make preparations fitting the current security issues in the region.

Field Marshal Birhanu said this Thursday while making remarks at the conclusion of the 15-day training given to officers of member states in Kenya.

The EASF is one of the five regional standby brigades as part of the African Standby Force, and is mandated to enhance peace and security in the volatile wider Eastern Africa region.

The Standby Force concluded its Command Post Exercise 2022, Code named ‘MASHARIKI SALAAM III’ on Thursday.

Speaking at the closing ceremony, FM Birhanu, who is also Chair of the Committee of the Eastern Africa Chiefs of Defense Staff, said EASF Member States to scale up their support for the Eastern African Standby Force.

He also urged Member States to engage in Peace Support Missions in the region under the umbrella of EASF.

Director of EASF, Birg. Gen. Getachew Shiferaw, on his part, highlighted the importance of the training and experience sharing sessions in boosting the capacity of the Standby Force.

The training drew members of the Defense Forces, Police and civilian crew from Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan, Uganda, Burundi, Djibouti, Somalia, Seychelles and Comoros.

Meanwhile, Field Marshal Birhanu held a meeting with Defense minister of Kenya, Eugene Ludovic Wamalwa, as the two neighboring countries seek to strengthen bilateral ties.

The two sides underscored the need to boost the capacity of the Standby Force through active participation of the member states, said the ministry of Foreign affairs.

The meeting was held a day after the two countries reached a new agreement to cooperate on bilateral and regional security issues.