Mogadishu, (SONNA) – The 34th Policy Organs Meeting of the Eastern Africa Standby Force (EASF) officially opened today in Mogadishu, hosted for the first time by Somalia. The opening ceremony was led by the State Minister for Defence of the Federal Government of Somalia, Hon. Omar Ali Abdi.
In his welcoming remarks, Minister Omar warmly received delegates from EASF member states and noted the significance of the event:
“We are proud to host the 34th EASF Policy Organs Meeting in Mogadishu for the first time. This reflects the confidence regional countries have in Somalia and demonstrates the progress we’ve made in security and rebuilding our defence institutions.”
He reaffirmed Somalia’s commitment to regional peace and stability, emphasizing the country’s active role in EASF’s strategic objectives:
“This meeting reinforces our collective dedication to peace, security, and strategic cooperation in Eastern Africa. Strengthening coordination and joint efforts, particularly in defence and security, remains a top priority.”
Minister Omar also highlighted EASF’s critical role in maintaining peace across the region, stressing its importance in conflict prevention, peacekeeping, rapid response to security and humanitarian crises.
The Ministry of Defence considers it an honor to host this high-level gathering, underscoring Somalia’s growing leadership in promoting regional peace, security, and defence cooperation.
