Somalia has assumed the chairmanship of the East African Standby Force (EASF), marking a historic milestone as the country leads the regional security organization for the first time since its establishment in 2005.
The transition took place during the 33rd Annual Policy-Making Conference of EASF Heads of State in Kigali, Rwanda. Somalia’s Defense Minister, Abdulkadir Nur, received the EASF flag from his Rwandan counterpart, Juvenal Marizamunda, symbolizing the handover of leadership.
About the EASF
The East African Standby Force is one of five regional components of the African Standby Force (ASF), encompassing military, police, and civilian elements. It was created to provide rapid deployment capabilities for preventive action, peacekeeping, stability operations, and peace enforcement across the region.
The EASF operates alongside four other regional brigades: the Northern Standby Brigade (NARC), Western Africa Standby Brigade (ECOWAS), Central African Standby Brigade (ECCAS), and Southern Africa Standby Brigade (SADC). Its headquarters is based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The EASF includes ten member states: Burundi, Comoros, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Seychelles, Somalia, Sudan, and Uganda, all signatories to the Memorandum of Understanding on the Establishment of the EASF.
Somalia’s new leadership role signals its growing influence and commitment to regional security and cooperation.