Somalia hosts a meeting of East African Standby Force defense ministers in Mogadishu.

Somalia hosts a meeting of East African Standby Force defense ministers in Mogadishu.

 The annual meeting of the East African Standby Force (EASF) Defence Ministers' Council officially opened in Mogadishu on Saturday to discuss strengthening regional security frameworks and deepening military cooperation among East African countries.

Somali Defense Minister Ahmed Moalim Faqi chaired the high-level meeting, which brought together delegations from member states of the East African Standby Force to focus on pressing regional security issues, including the transition to the new African Union Mission in Somalia.

Minister Faki welcomed the delegations and commended their continued commitment to peace, security, and regional defense cooperation. He said, "It is a great honor for Somalia to host the annual meeting of the East African Standby Force this year under its rotating chairmanship. This reflects our unwavering commitment to promoting peace, stability, and development throughout East Africa."

The Minister highlighted the complex security landscape in the region, citing terrorism, violent extremism, climate change, and political instability as major threats. He urged member states to unite, calling for enhanced cooperation and joint action.

Faki also expressed confidence in the outcomes of previous sessions held by military commanders and technical experts, saying that the ongoing discussions provide an appropriate platform for adopting strategic plans to guide the future direction of the East African Security Force.

The Minister expressed his gratitude to the East African Security Force Secretariat and all member states for their continued support, expressing optimism that the Mogadishu meeting would contribute to enhancing regional integration and defense preparedness.

He also commended the pivotal role of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), commending its member states for their unwavering support during Somalia's most critical moments. He noted that this solidarity has led to tangible progress in national peacebuilding efforts.