EASF Structures

The EASF is made up of four key structures namely:

Eastern Africa Standby Force Secretariat (EASFSEC)

EASFSEC is located in Nairobi, Kenya and serves as the Secretariat for all EASF policy organs, structures and activities. It coordinates EASF activities in consultation with relevant authorities of Member States and the African Union.
EASFSEC is led by a Director and Heads of Departments appointed by the Council of Ministers of Defence and Security.
EASFSEC’s mandate includes implementation of EASF policies, development and review of EASF policy documents for approval by the Council of Ministers, mobilization of resources in collaboration with African Union (AU), Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and other sources, management of the EASF Fund, dissemination of information and public relation activities as well as liaising with AU, RECs and other organizations on matters relating to EASF.

Planning Element (PLANELM)
Located in Nairobi, Kenya, PLANELM serves as a multi-national and multidimensional full time planning headquarters for EASF within the framework of the African Standby Force.  PLANELM seeks to establish a Force capable of planning and preparing for complex Peace Support Operations (PSO) that include reconnaissance, mounting, deployment and employment of up to a brigade size force including police and other civilians components in a theatre of operations to address the six scenarios defined within the Policy Framework for the Establishment of the ASF.

PLANELM comprises a military component, a police component and a civilian component on secondment from all EASF Member States.

The Military Component of the PLANELM has been in operation since 2004 when the Assembly adopted the Policy Framework establishing the Eastern Africa Standby Brigade (EASBRIG), which was renamed as the Eastern Africa Standby Force (EASF) since 2011. It is responsible for force preparation and pre-deployment planning of the EASF.

The Police Component of the PLANELM, established since 2008, is EASF’s instrument to develop a Police Component for Peace Support Operations in Eastern Africa and across the African continent. In the same vein, the Civilian Component of the PLANELM, established in 2008, undertakes substantive and supportive civilian functions in a peace support operations mission including political affairs; planning  and coordination; legal advice; public information; human rights; electoral management and observation; civil affairs; child protection and protection of civilians.

Eastern Africa Standby Force Headquarters
Located in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the Eastern Africa Standby Force Headquarters is made up of regional military and civilian staff on secondment from EASF Member States. It serves as a command headquarters for force preparation and operational command of the Standby Force. Upon deployment, the Force comes under the operational control of the African Union or the United Nations, as applicable. It works with PLANELM to prepare the mission Force Headquarters' structure and plans.

The Logistics Base (LOGBASE)
Located in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the Logistics Base serves as the central regional base for sub-depots and for maintaining, storage and management of the logistical infrastructure of the EASF.

The Logistics Base receives personnel, material and other resources to be maintained and supplied for training and operations of EASF.  It coordinates all activities involving logistics of EASF, including, but not limited to, performing functions mandated by the African Union.