EASF Conducts Friends of EASF Meeting in Nairobi

NAIROBI, 8 May 2025 - The Eastern Africa Standby Force (EASF) conducted a Friends of EASF (FoE) Meeting on Thursday at its Secretariat in Nairobi, bringing together Defence Attachés and Advisors from various diplomatic missions accredited to Kenya, including representatives from EASF Member States.

EASF Director, Brigadier (Rtd) Paul Kahuria Njema, welcomed participants and acknowledged the vital role of partners in supporting EASF’s mission. “It is both an honour and a privilege to address you our valued friends and partners whose unwavering support continues to empower and guide our mission,” he said. Brig. Njema thanked the Kingdom of Denmark for its support in facilitating the event.

He stressed that peace and security in the region are a collective responsibility. “These are not the work of one institution alone but the product of deep collaboration, shared commitment, and sustained solidarity,” he said. He highlighted EASF’s transformation into a reliable peacekeeping mechanism, capable of responding to crises and supporting community recovery.

Addressing the evolving nature of regional threats, Brig. Njema pointed to a range of issues including terrorism, cybercrime, political instability, maritime piracy, and human trafficking. He affirmed that with continued partnership, EASF has enhanced its capacity through joint training, strategic planning, and rapid deployment capabilities.

Chairperson of the Friends of EASF, Col. Jens Lindvig, commended the organization’s role in fostering dialogue. “EASF is indeed a forum for dialogue. As long as we talk, there’s a good chance we won’t fight. Dialogue remains central to conflict prevention,” he said, emphasizing the importance of supporting EASF’s preventive mandate.

The meeting included presentations on EASF’s approved 2025 calendar of activities, the upcoming Maritime Command Post Exercise (CPX), and a regional security briefing. Plenary sessions facilitated in-depth discussions between EASF staff and international partners on the organization's strategic direction and collaboration opportunities.

The Friends of EASF is an informal coalition of nations and institutions dedicated to promoting peace and security in the Eastern Africa region and beyond, with regular engagements fostering cooperation and shared understanding.