The Eastern Africa Standby Force (EASF) has kicked off its civilian personnel recruitment and verification exercise in Uganda, reinforcing its commitment to regional security preparedness.
Speaking at the launch in Kampala, Brig Gen Stephen Kashure, the Joint Chief of Staff of the EASF, highlighted the rotational nature of the exercise among the ten member states, emphasizing that Uganda’s hosting of such an event is significant.
“We are an organization that brings together ten countries, and our exercises rotate among them. Therefore, it may take some time before Uganda hosts another one,” Brig Gen Kashure noted.
Brig Gen Kashure underscored the critical role civilians play in conflict prevention and resolution, noting that while military forces engage in combat, long-term peace is built by civilians.
“The professionalization of civilians within the EASF, under the African Union, is crucial to addressing instability with African solutions. This requires a deliberate approach to policy guidance and peace operations,” he said.
He also dismissed criticism over the force’s lack of deployment in its two-decade existence, likening it to a fire brigade: “Our main focus is prevention, and if called upon, we are ready to manage conflicts and work towards resolution.”
Representing the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Arthur Kamya reaffirmed Uganda’s unwavering support for the EASF, describing it as a multidimensional force that integrates military, police, and civilian components.
“This workshop highlights our commitment to preparedness in addressing conflicts, humanitarian crises, and natural disasters,” Mr. Kamya stated.
He emphasized that Uganda understands the regional security dynamics, acknowledging that conflicts in neighboring countries often impact Uganda through refugee influxes and trade disruptions.
Mr. William Enyimu, the Principal Human Resource Officer at the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs and Uganda’s National Civilian Focal Point for EASF, stressed the importance of the ongoing recruitment and rostering exercise.
“This exercise is critical in updating Uganda’s roster and addressing concerns raised by past participants,” he noted.
The Eastern Africa Standby Force, part of the African Standby Force (ASF), plays a pivotal role in maintaining peace and security across the region. Its ten member states include Burundi, Comoros, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Seychelles, Somalia, Sudan, and Uganda.
