MOGADISHU (SONNA) – The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defense, Abdifatah Abdulkadir Farah, officially inaugurated the 35th Ordinary Policy Organs Meeting of the Eastern Africa Standby Force (EASF) on Saturday. The session, commencing at the expert and technical level, marks the start of a week-long strategic engagement running from December 13 to 18 in the Somali capital.
In his opening address, Mr. Farah outlined the critical objectives of the session, which brings together security experts from across the region. He emphasized that the deliberations would center on enhancing the operational capacity of the regional force to respond effectively to emerging crises. The technical committee is tasked with reviewing and formulating comprehensive work plans for the 2025–2026 period.
Furthermore, the agenda includes rigorous scrutiny of the EASF budget, financial audit reports, and detailed assessments regarding the impact of conflicts currently affecting member states within the region.
This initial technical session serves as the foundation for high-level deliberations scheduled for the coming days. Following the conclusion of the experts’ meeting, the Chiefs of Defense Forces (CDFs) from EASF member states will convene to discuss military strategy and operational readiness. The summit will culminate in a Council of Ministers meeting, where Defense Ministers will ratify key decisions regarding the regional security architecture.
Hosting the EASF gathering for the second time this year signifies Somalia’s re-emergence as a central player in the Horn of Africa’s security landscape. The Federal Government views this continued engagement as a demonstration of its commitment to fostering peace, stability, and defense cooperation across East Africa.
The EASF is one of the five regional components of the African Standby Force, mandated to enhance peace and security in the Eastern Africa region.
