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East African Defence ministers call for dialogue to address regional conflicts

Representatives during the 32nd Ordinary Session of the Council of Ministers of Defence and Security from Eastern Africa in Nairobi on January 27, 2024. (Photo: Ministry of Defence)

By Issa Hussein | 28 Jan 2024

Defense Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has called for solid regional support to address the complex dynamic challenges and stability of the Eastern Africa region.

Chairing, the 32nd Ordinary Session of the Council of Ministers of Defence and Security from the Eastern Africa Region in Nairobi on Saturday, the CS, said a peaceful, stable and secure region was ideal for sustainable socio-economic development.

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The discussion of the meeting focused on enhancing the regional defence and security capabilities in line with the East African Standby Force framework and fostering collaboration among the member states.

CS Aden emphasised the need to strengthen a meaningful dialogue both internal and bilateral to de-escalate conflicts within member states.

The event, attended by the regional member states, was a culmination of a week-long East African Standby Force Policy Organs meeting.

Representatives from Kenya, Burundi, Djibouti, Uganda, Sudan, Somalia, Ethiopia, Comoros, and Seychelles as well as members of the diplomatic corps attended the regional meeting.

The Eastern Africa Stand Force, with its headquarters in Nairobi, is one of the multi-dimensional forces of the African Standby Force that comprises the military, police and civilian components whose mandate is to enhance peace and security in the Eastern Africa region.

Handover ceremony

CS Aden who served as chairman in his rotational term at the Council of Ministers of Defence, also handed over the chairmanship of the council to the Rwanda Minister of Defence Juvenal Marizamunda who served under him as the vice chairman.

Kenya Defense Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale handing over the chairmanship to Rwanda's Minister of Defense Juvenal Marizamunda in Nairobi on January 27, 2024 (Ministry of Defence).

The CS appreciated the members for their support during his term of office and further assured them of Kenya's commitment to serve as agents of peace and integration in the Eastern Africa region.

The event happened days after the Force Commander, East African Community Regional Force, Major General Aphhaxard Muthuri Kiungu handed over the East African flag and other mission instruments to the Secretary-General Peter Mathuki at the East African headquarters in Arusha.

The handover ceremony marked the closure of the year-long, inaugural East African Military intervention in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.