EASF High-Level Meetings in the Land of Thousand Hills

The 28th Ordinary Session of EASF's Policy Organs' Meetings (POM) was officially opened today Monday 14th December, 2020 at the Radison Blu Hotel in Kigali, Rwanda.  POM is a series of three high-level meetings conducted as per the EASF regulations.

The first meeting is that of the EASF Experts Working Group.

It was the Guest of Honour, Lt. Gen. Jean Jacques Mupenzi, the Army Chief of Staff from the Rwanda Defence Force who officially opened the Experts Working Group meeting. In his address to the delegates from EASF Member States, Lt. Gen. Jean Jacques Mupenzi, pointed out the great achievements of EASF particularly, in the discharge of its mandate in promoting peace in the region. He called on the delegates to engage fully in the meeting and thanked the EASF secretariat for organizing the high level meetings.
 
The aim of the meeting is to apprise the higher leaders of the Eastern Africa Region on the progress made by EASF since the 27th Ordinary Policy Organs Meetings held in December 2019 in Uganda.

In his welcoming remarks, the Chairperson of the Experts Working Group, Commandant Moujib Adaine from Union of Comoros, thanked the host nation, the Government of Rwanda for hosting the Policy Organs' Meetings. He called on the delegates to contribute meaningfully in the deliberations in particular on important points such as the proposed budget, the 2021 activity plan and others.

The Director of EASF, Brig. Gen. Getachew Shiferaw Fayisa highlighted the importance of the EASF Policy Organs Meetings as it sets the foundation for the two upcoming ‘Chiefs of Defence Staff meeting’ and the Ministers of Defence meeting. He added ‘’It is at this level that strong deliberations and proposals are made to inform the decisions of the next level, the Committee of Chiefs Defense Staff and it is evident, therefore that our Experts continue to play a very essential role in the development of EASF operating manuals, documents, guidance, plans and others to effectively and efficiently operationalize the mandate and on this regard I want to thank you all for the invaluable support of all EASF subject matter Experts’’ concluded the Director.

After the closure of the Experts’ Working Group meeting on Tuesday 15th December, the Chiefs of Defence’ meeting will commence on Wednesday 16th December at the same venue.

EASF also conveyed its utmost appreciation to the Republic of Rwanda, to the Rwanda Defence Forces and to the EASF Member States for their contributions and participations in the 28th Policy Organs Meetings of 2020.

Photo Gallery: EASF High-Level Meetings in the Land of Thousand Hills