On Friday 17th May 2024, a delegation of the Eastern Africa Standby Force (EASF) Secretariat visited the National Assembly with the aim of discussing areas of collaboration and providing due updates on the progress of the EASF within the region. The delegation was headed by the Director of the EASF Secretariat Brigadier (retired) Paul Njema, Head of Peace Operations Brigadier Gen Domitien Kabisa, and Executive Assistant to the Director Mr. Irchad Ousseine.
The visit began with a Courtesy Call on the Deputy Speaker to the National Assembly Hon. Gervais Henrie, in which the delegation apprised the Deputy Speaker of the ongoing missions and progress of the EASF across all ten member states. These states are Burundi, Comoros, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Seychelles, Somalia, Sudan, and Uganda. Brig. Njema noted that parliament plays a critical role in the securitisation and protection of a nation, through protocols and ratification of jointly created mechanisms. It was emphasized that there is a growing need to educate the youth on the importance of national security across the Eastern African region, in a concerted effort to minimise the involvement of youth in violence and armed conflict.
Another pertinent point of discussion was the focus on issues such as maritime security and prevention of drug trafficking by sea; this was noted as a matter of regional importance, with Seychelles leading the efforts in securing and enforcing maritime border control. The Hon. Deputy Speaker remarked that despite its small landmass, Seychelles is indeed leading in the promotion of maritime security as an oceanic nation. Hon. Henrie also remarked on the importance of continually meeting with both the EASF and Civil Society Organisations to work towards joint solutions to issues which pose a wide-spreading effect on the region.
The delegation then met with the Defence and Security Committee (DSC) led by Chairperson Hon. Clifford Andre. Brig. Njema began by explaining the mandate of the EASF and how opportunities to collaborate with the DSC would be fruitful in addressing regional issues. It was emphasized that it is the role of African states to address African problems, with members states and their parliaments forming part of that crucial mechanism.
With Seychelles being noted as a particularly active and engaging member state, the delegation noted that meeting with parliamentarians was a necessary component of their operations. Hon. Andre briefed the delegation on the mandate of the DSC, noting that there were opportunities for training and capacity-building, particularly on shared challenge such as climate change, natural disasters, and maritime security. The introductory meeting then ended with calls for future meetings engagements of both parties.
The delegation also took the opportunity to pay Courtesy Calls on the Leader of the Opposition Hon. Sebastien Pillay, and the Leader of Government Business Hon. Bernard Georges, during their visit.
Editor’s Note: The EASF is a regional Peace and Security Mechanism within the framework of the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA) which was established in 2004. According to Article 5 of the Agreement on the Establishment of the EASF, the mandate of the organisation is conflict prevention, management, and resolution.
