Sunday July 20, 2025
Mogadishu (HOL) — The annual Council of Defence Ministers of
the Eastern Africa Standby Force (EASF) officially opened Saturday in Mogadishu
to discuss strengthening regional security frameworks and deepening military
cooperation among Eastern African states.
Somalia’s Minister of Defence, Ahmed Moallim Fiqi, chaired
the high-level session, which brought together delegations from EASF member
states to focus on pressing regional security issues, including the transition
to the new African Union mission in Somalia.
In his keynote remarks, Minister Fiqi welcomed the delegates
and praised their sustained commitment to peace, security, and regional defense
cooperation.
“It is a great honor for Somalia to host this year’s EASF
annual meeting while holding the rotating chairmanship,” Fiqi said. “This
reflects our strong dedication to advancing peace, stability, and development
across Eastern Africa.”
He highlighted the region’s complex security landscape,
citing terrorism, violent extremism, climate change, and political instability
as key threats. The minister urged member states to present a united front,
calling for strengthened cooperation and joint action.
Fiqi also voiced confidence in the outcomes of the earlier
sessions held by military chiefs and technical experts. He said the ongoing
discussions provide a timely platform to adopt strategic plans that will guide
the EASF’s future direction.
The minister extended his gratitude to the EASF Secretariat
and all member states for their continued support, expressing optimism that the
Mogadishu meeting would help reinforce regional defense integration and
readiness.
He also acknowledged the essential role of the African Union
Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), commending its member states for their
steadfast support during Somalia’s most critical moments. That solidarity, he
noted, has led to tangible progress in national peacebuilding efforts.