Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Olivier Nduhungirehe, has called on East African Ministers of Defense and Security to join forces in addressing the challenges that threaten peace and stability across the continent.
His comments came during the opening of the annual meeting of the East African Standby Force (EASF) Ministers of Defense and Security, held at the Kigali Convention Centre in Rwanda’s capital, Kigali.
The gathering brought together high-level officials from across the region, including defense ministers and security chiefs, with a shared goal of finding collaborative solutions to regional security issues. The meeting is part of the ongoing efforts by the East African Standby Force, a multi-national force designed to respond to crises and conflicts in the region.
In his opening remarks, Ambassador Nduhungirehe emphasized the importance of collective action, stating, “This meeting must focus on finding solutions to the issues that cause conflict and insecurity in East Africa. I am confident that through cooperation and unity, we can make significant strides in preventing, managing, and resolving conflicts, not only in East Africa but across the entire African continent.”
The 33rd annual meeting of the EASF, held under the theme “20 Years of Commitment to Advancing Peace and Security in the Region,” underscored the progress made over the past two decades. However, it also highlighted the continued need for stronger, more coordinated efforts to ensure lasting peace.
The EASF consists of military and civilian experts from 10 East African nations, including Burundi, Comoros, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Seychelles, Somalia, Sudan, Uganda, and Rwanda. This diverse collaboration seeks to address regional security challenges, from political instability to terrorism and natural disasters.
Rwanda completed a successful one-year term at the helm of the EASF and, during the meeting’s final session, officially handed over leadership responsibilities to Somalia. Somalia’s Minister of Defense, Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur, will now lead the EASF for the next year.
Rwanda’s Minister of Defense, Juvenal Marizamunda, spoke about the efforts made to strengthen the force, emphasizing the importance of training not only the military but also police officers and civilians who are part of the EASF. “We focus on conflict prevention, because while having the capacity to intervene is crucial, being able to prevent conflicts before they escalate is even more important,” Minister Marizamunda said. “We also monitor elections in the region to ensure stability.”
In his address, Somalia’s Minister of Defense, Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur, highlighted the ongoing challenges his country faces, having experienced decades of war and conflict. “Somalia has lived through 30 years of war and instability, and we continue to battle terrorist groups today. We understand better than anyone the value of peace and security,” he said, calling for new ideas to address regional conflicts and strengthen peacekeeping efforts.
As the East African region faces continued security challenges, the collaboration among member nations remains essential for ensuring lasting peace and stability. Through mutual cooperation, the EASF aims to create a more secure and prosperous future for East Africa and the broader continent.
