Defense CS Aden Duale on Thursday chaired a ‘Friends’ of the East African Standby Force (FoEASF) meeting at the Holiday Inn hotel in Two Rivers Mall, Nairobi.
The meeting was attended by delegates from the EASF member states, their international partners, and some international organizations.
It was geared towards bringing together the diplomatic leadership and partners to discuss progress and milestones achieved by the institution since its inception in 2014, together with the challenges encountered and the solutions required for the improvement of the African Union (AU) organ.
In his address, CS Defence Hon Duale, who also doubled as the Chairperson Council of Ministers of Defence and Security, noted the need to discuss the security situation within the region and, the required capacity of the EASF in dealing with the rising needs and demands that come with cultivating peace and facilitating humanitarian aid.
“The Eastern Africa Standby Force (EASF) remains the regional collective security tool available to our region for the maintenance of peace and security including prevention and mediation. Towards this end, the force must retain the highest state of readiness in all its components and remain equipped, trained and ready for not only today’s challenges, but for the future,” CS Duale said.
The CS also reiterated the Council of Ministers of Defence and Security of the Eastern Africa Region commitment to upholding its aspirations of ensuring a secure and stable region, noting efforts have been redoubled so as to achieve its stipulated Mandate of ensuring regional security and stability.
