EASF Director Attends 46th AU Executive Council Session in Addis Ababa

Brigadier (Rtd) Paul Kahuaria Njema, Director of the Eastern Africa Standby Force (EASF), participated in the 46th Ordinary Session of the African Union (AU) Executive Council, held from February 12 to 13 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The two-day meeting brought together foreign ministers from AU member states, representatives from Regional Economic Communities (RECs), Regional Mechanisms (RMs), and other AU institutions.

The session was convened under the AU’s theme for 2025, "Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations," emphasizing the urgent need for comprehensive action to promote development, stability, and unity across the continent.

During the session, participants discussed a wide range of significant issues impacting collective African action. Key agenda items included the review of annual reports from various AU bodies, elections for the selection and appointment of AU Commissioners, and appointments to the AU Peace and Security Council. The meeting also focused on finalizing the legal framework for the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the adoption of statutes for the African mechanism for disaster forecasting and response.

Brig. (Rtd) Njema led a high-level EASF delegation to the meeting, where discussions centered around strengthening cooperation in areas of peace and security, economic integration, and disaster preparedness on the continent. The session underscored the need for enhanced regional collaboration to meet Africa’s shared goals and address the pressing challenges that impact its people. 

The outcomes of the 46th Ordinary Session are expected to further align the efforts of AU member states and institutions toward achieving a more integrated and resilient Africa.