Mogadishu (Dawan Africa) – The Federal Government of Somalia on Saturday officially concluded the final day of the 34th Eastern Africa Standby Force (EASF) Policy Organs Meetings, with Defence Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi presiding over the closing session in his capacity as current Chair of the Council of Defence Ministers.
The five-day summit, which opened on 15 July, brought together defence ministers, army chiefs, security experts, diplomats, and policymakers from the 10 EASF member states. The gathering aimed to strengthen regional cooperation on peace and security, and to assess pressing security challenges facing Eastern Africa.
In his keynote speech, Minister Fiqi stated:“This summit in Mogadishu demonstrates Somalia’s unwavering commitment to advancing peace, stability, and regional cooperation. We hope the outcomes of this meeting will pave the way for a unified security vision in Eastern Africa.”
The minister specifically underscored the urgent need to address cross-border threats such as terrorism, internal conflicts, and the growing impact of climate change on regional security. He urged member states to adopt a unified security strategy and enhance intelligence sharing.
This year’s conference was held under the theme “20 Years of Commitment to Peace and Security in Eastern Africa,” marking the 20th anniversary of EASF’s founding in 2004 and the 10th anniversary of its formal operationalisation in 2014.
Minister Fiqi also extended special thanks to the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM, formerly ATMIS) for its continued role in stabilising the country, noting that its support has been critical to Somalia’s internal security progress.
The Eastern Africa Standby Force (EASF) is a regional security organisation made up of 10 member states: Burundi, Comoros, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Seychelles, Somalia, Sudan, and Uganda. It is mandated to respond rapidly to regional crises, support peacekeeping operations, resolve conflicts, and assist in humanitarian interventions across Eastern and Horn of Africa.
