Ten Years of Partnership Between EASF and NACS

The Eastern Africa Standby Force celebrated 10 Years of Partnership with the Nordic Advisory Coordination Staff (NACS) on Wednesday 30th of October 2019, at its Secretariat in Nairobi, Kenya.

The commemoration of the ten years of partnership between EASF and the Nordic Countries’ Peace and Stabilization engagement went hand in hand with bidding farewell to two outgoing Technical Advisors from the Nordic Countries.

Since 2009, the Nordic Countries, including Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden have been supporting EASF in building institutional capacities in order to play its roll in enhancing peace, security and stability in the Eastern Africa region and beyond. During the ceremony, the Joint Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. (Dr.) Charles Rudakabana noted that the Nordic Countries support through the ten years has been in form of funding of EASF activities and provision of Technical Advisors, Force Headquarters Start-Up Kit, the Command, Control and Communications Information Systems and capacity building among others.

The Joint Chief of Staff said, with the Technical Advisors support, EASF has been able to design and undertake several capacity building courses. In this regard, EASF created a pool of Regional Facilitators to conduct mandatory courses such as Integrated Mission Planning Course (IMPC), United Nations Police Officers Course (UNPOC) and Maritime courses. Maj. Gen. Rudakabana appreciated the two outgoing Technical Advisers for their diligent and committed services to EASF. “As you end your tour of duty in EASF, I wish you success in your future endeavors” he added.

The Ambassador of Sweden to Kenya H.E. Amb. Anna Jardfelt, who is also the Chairperson of the Nordic Defense Cooperation observed that the collaboration of the Nordic Countries with EASF during the last ten years was very successful and has been a very special partnership whereby five countries came together and contributed in the military spirit.

Ambassador Jardfelt highlighted the fact that the ten years of fruitful partnership have seen a strong collaboration, results on regional integration, improvement of information sharing, capability development, cooperational effects and an increase in military professionalism. “From our side, we are assessing the collaboration for the ten years as a big success now it is normal to go to the next phase leaving our military presence here but leaving behind a civilian presence”, she added.

Photo Gallery: Ten Years of Partnership Between EASF and NACS