Field Marshal Birhanu Urges Member States to Strengthen East Africa Standby Force

Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) Chief of Staff, Field Marshal Birhanu Jula urged member states to strengthen East Africa Standby Force.

The 15-day command post exercise given to officers of member states of East Africa Standby Force was held in Kenya, according to Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

In his speech delivered at the conclusion of the training yesterday, Field Marshal Birhanu who is also the Chair of the Committee of the Eastern Africa Chiefs of Defence Staff, said the East Africa Standby Force should make preparation fitting the current security issues in the region.

The Eastern Africa Standby Force is a regional organization whose mandate is to enhance peace and security in the Eastern Africa region.

It is one of the five regional multidimensional forces of the African Standby Force (ASF) consisting of military, police and civilian components, it was indicated.

He also appreciated member states for sending trainees to the session as a manifestation of their commitment to strengthen the Standby Force.

The Field Marshal had a meeting with the Defense Minister and Chief of the Defense Forces of Kenya where they underscored the need to boost the capacity of the Standby Force through active participation of member states.

East Africa Standby Force Secretariat Director, Brigadier General Getachew Shiferaw, on his part, highlighted the importance of the training and experience sharing sessions in boosting the capacity of the Standby Force.

The training drew members of the defense forces, police and civilian crew from Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan, Uganda, Burundi, Djibouti, Somalia, Seychelles and Comoros.

Eugene Ludovic Wamalwa, the Cabinet Secretary (CS) Ministry of Defence of Kenya reiterated the longstanding relationship between Ethiopia and Kenya further calling on the countries to cement ties along with the rich tradition of fraternity between the two countries.

Source: Ethiopia News Agency