FTX 2017 Officially Starts in the Republic of The Sudan

The Eastern Africa Standby Force Field Training Exercise (FTX) 2017 was officially launched in Gebeit region in the Republic of the Sudan on 25th November 2017.

The exercise, code named Mashariki Salaam II, is a crucial milestone on EASF's Strategic Plan 2015-2020 which spells out, among others, the organization's objective of maintaining a well-trained and regularly exercised force, ready to conduct peace keeping missions in the most effective way possible.

The Guest of Honor during the opening ceremony was the Sudan Army Deputy Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Yahya Mohamed Khair, who is also the Chairperson of the EASF Chiefs of Defence Staff. During his keynote speech, Lt. Gen. Khair welcomed the FTX 2017 participants to the Republic of the Sudan and reassured them that his Government was doing everything possible to ensure a successful conclusion of the exercise.

The Head of Mission, who is the immediate former Director of EASF, Amb. Issimail Chanfi reflected on the long journey the regional peacekeeper has covered over the last couple of years. He commended the people of the Eastern Africa region for the support they have accorded the organization ever since its inception.

The EASF Director, Dr. Abdillahi Omar Bouh underscored the importance of capacity building in the enhancement of the Full Operational Capability (FOC), a status which EASF attained in December 2014. EASF is the first Standby Force on the African Continent to acquire this status. Exercises such as the current FTX play an important role in ensuring that peacekeepers are ready to conduct Peace Support Operations (PSOs) when tasked to do so at any time.

All 10 EASF Member States are well represented in the exercise.

Photo Gallery:  FTX 2017 Starts in the Republic of the Sudan