EASF Concludes Historic Maritime Command Post Exercise “Bahari Salama 1” in Djibouti

16 October 2025 - Djibouti City -The Eastern Africa Standby Force (EASF) has successfully concluded its first-ever Maritime Command Post Exercise (MCPX), codenamed “Bahari Salama 1”, at the Doraleh Military Base in Djibouti City. This landmark exercise marks a significant milestone in the organization’s efforts to strengthen regional maritime security and enhance its peace support capabilities across the Eastern Africa region.

 The closing ceremony was graced by several high-level dignitaries, including the Guest of Honor, H.E. Hassan Omar Mohamed, Minister of Defense of the Republic of Djibouti; Vice Chairperson of the EASF Council of Ministers of Defense and Security Lt. Gen. Hassan Daoud Kayan, Minister of Defense of the Republic of Sudan, Hon. Jacob Marksons Oboth, Uganda’s Minister of Defense and Veteran Affairs; and. Also in attendance were members of the diplomatic corps, ambassadors accredited to Djibouti, defense attachés, and representatives of EASF partner organizations.

Hosted by the Republic of Djibouti, the two-week command post exercise brought together representatives from EASF Member States, regional Chiefs of Defense Staff, members of the EASF Council of Ministers, diplomats, defense attachés, and partner organizations, in a demonstration of regional solidarity and shared commitment to peace and maritime cooperation.

The closing ceremony was officiated by the Minister of Defense of the Republic of Djibouti, His Excellency Hassan Omar Mohamed, who commended the exercise as a pivotal moment in EASF’s history. “While today marks an important milestone, it is not the end, it is the beginning of a new chapter”, he stated, emphasizing the need for continued collaboration, learning, and investment to enhance the readiness of EASF forces.

Speaking during the event, Lt. Gen. Hassan Daoud Kayan, Vice Chairperson of the EASF Council of Ministers of Defense and Security, highlighted the success of “Bahari Salama 1” in reinforcing interoperability, strategic communication, and the understanding of maritime legal frameworks among participating states. He noted that the exercise has paved the way for improved collective readiness to respond to regional maritime threats and peace support operations.

EASF Director, Brig. Gen. (Rtd.) Paul Kahuria Njema, praised the outcome of the exercise, referring to it as a symbol of unity and operational growth. “This exercise was more than just a simulation, it was a demonstration of what can be achieved when Eastern Africa stands together with one mission, one vision, and one spirit of unity,” he said.

Commander of the Djibouti Coast Guard, Col. Wais Omar Bogoreh, echoed the importance of collaboration in ensuring maritime security and applauded the exercise for fostering information-sharing and regional cooperation. 

The closing ceremony featured a symbolic handover of the EASF flag by the Head of Mission, Mr. Kider Abobulgu, to the Guest of Honor, who passed it on to the EASF Director, signifying the formal conclusion of the exercise.

“Bahari Salama 1” demonstrated the operational capabilities of EASF in planning, coordinating, and executing maritime missions in a multinational setting. The successful completion of the exercise reflects EASF’s growing capacity as a peace and security instrument under the African Standby Force framework and underscores the region's commitment to protecting its maritime domain