EASF Concludes First Police Professional Staff Training Workshop in Burundi

Bujumbura – Friday, 29 August 2025 – The Police Component of the Eastern Africa Standby Force (EASF) successfully concluded the first Police Professional Staff (PPS) Training Workshop on Friday, following a five-day session held from 25th to 29th August 2025 in Burundi.

This workshop holds historic significance as the first ever on the African continent to select and train Police Planning Specialists (PPS) for an African Union-led Peace Support Operation (AUledPSO). It represents a major milestone in the development of African-led capacity for peace support interventions.

The opening ceremony was honored by the Guest of Honour, Brigadier General of Police Emile MANISHA, Commissioner in Charge of Training, as well as the EASF Joint Chief of Staff, Brigadier General Stephen Kashure, whose presence underscored the strategic importance of the event.

The closing ceremony was graced by Brigadier General Sinzinkayo Deo, Commissioner in Charge of Operations of the Burundi National Police, who commended EASF’s efforts in enhancing regional police capabilities.

 “The EASF is a pioneer in the development of police capabilities for African states,” said Brig. Gen. Sinzinkayo in his remarks.

The workshop brought together professional police staff from EASF Member States, aiming to strengthen the command, management, and operational readiness of the police component within the regional force.

This activity also holds historical significance, as it is the first ever held activity under the Police Professional Staff (PPS) foundation training, specifically designed to fill the gap identified by the Ibrahim Gambari Independent Expert Panel in 2017. The panel had noted the need for capacity-building efforts targeted at enhancing leadership, coordination, and technical preparedness within the police component of African standby forces.

Commissioner Bacar Ali Said, Head of the EASF Police Component, expressed his gratitude to the guest of honour and to Mr. Patrick Macua, Technical Expert from GIZ African Union, for their continued support. 

 “It is a privilege to witness the successful completion of this important event,” Commissioner Bacar said. “On behalf of the EASF Director, I would like to sincerely thank the EASF Member States for their commitment to strengthening our organization. I also extend heartfelt appreciation to the people and Government of the Republic of Burundi for hosting and supporting this initiative.”

He further acknowledged the German Development Corporation (GIZ) African Union for providing the financial and technical support that made the workshop possible.

Speaking during the ceremony, Mr. Patrick Macua praised the progress made: “If EASF is called upon to deploy today, it already has in place the leadership, management, and command capacity for the police component,” he said. “This week’s training highlighted the strategic importance of the police support crew and their unwavering commitment to policing efforts on the African continent.”

The five-day workshop covered a wide range of subjects essential to police operational readiness, management, and strategic deployment within peace support operations.

The successful conclusion of this training marks a significant step forward in EASF’s mandate to build a professional, multidimensional standby force capable of responding to peace and security challenges in the Eastern Africa region.