EASF Launches 20th Anniversary Book at Closing Ceremony of Maritime Command Post Exercise in Djibouti

16 October 2025 - Djibouti City - At the culmination of its first-ever Maritime Command Post Exercise (MCPX) “Bahari Salama 1,” the Eastern Africa Standby Force (EASF) marked another significant milestone by officially launching its 20th Anniversary Commemorative Book. The launch took place during the closing ceremony at Doraleh Base in Djibouti City, in the presence of high-ranking officials, ministers of defense, diplomats, and international partners.

The commemorative book, published in three languages: English, Arabic, and French, documents EASF’s evolution over the past two decades. It highlights key achievements, capacity-building milestones, and outlines the organization’s strategic vision for the future of peace and security in the Eastern Africa region.

The launch ceremony was led by the Guest of Honor, H.E. Hassan Omar Mohamed, Minister of Defense of the Republic of Djibouti, joined by Minister of Defense of the Republic of Sudan, Vice Chairperson of the EASF Council of Ministers of Defense and Security; Lt. Gen. Hassan Daoud Kayan, Hon. Jacob Marksons Oboth, Minister of Defense and Veteran Affairs of the Republic of Uganda; and other dignitaries and ambassadors accredited to Djibouti.

As part of the launch, large-sized book covers in all three languages were unveiled on stage by the ministers, symbolizing the official release of the publication. These were placed prominently on the platform throughout the event.

In a symbolic gesture, EASF Director Brig. Gen. (Rtd.) Paul Kahuria Njema signed copies of the anniversary book and presented them to the attending ministers, commemorating their contributions to the organization’s journey and regional cooperation. 

The event was attended by a wide array of diplomatic representatives, defense attachés, and international partners. The atmosphere reflected not only the success of the maritime exercise but also the pride in EASF’s legacy as a key peace and security mechanism under the African Union framework. 

The launch of the 20th Anniversary Book, combined with the successful completion of “Bahari Salama 1,” underscored EASF’s continued dedication to strengthening its operational readiness, regional partnerships, and institutional memory.