EASF's Command Post Exercise 2022 Starts

The Eastern Africa Standby Force launched its Command Post Exercise (CPX) 2022 code named Mashariki Salaam III at the Kenya Commercial Bank Leadership Center in Karen, Nairobi on 21st March 2022.

The Guest of Honor during the opening ceremony was the Chief of Defence Staff of the Republic of Kenya, General Robert K. Kibochi. In his keynote speech, General Kibochi thanked EASF Member States for availing exercise participants to take part in the peace-keeping exercise, despite challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. He underscored the importance of the CPX in exercising EASF structures in the background of a multinational, multidimensional and multidisciplinary Mission Headquarters (MHQs) together with Force Headquarters (FHQs) staff in planning and execution of a complex Peace Support Operation (PSO).

"As we look into the future, it is imperative that we all re-evaluate the EASF performance with a view to restructuring it and expanding the spectrum of EASF mandate to enable it effectively deal with traditional and non-traditional threats in the region and beyond. This can be realized if EASF is accorded the necessary political anchorage from all Member States", General Kibochi said.

The EASF Director Brig Gen Getachew Shiferaw Fayisa thanked the Government and the people of the Republic of Kenya for the hospitality accorded to the exercise participants ever since their arrival in the country. He also thanked General Kibochi, Members of Diplomatic Corps, EASF Member States and various representatives for supporting the CPX. Brig Gen Fayisa  extended his gratitude to the African Union through APSA, and the Government of the Royal Kingdom of Denmark for sponsoring this exercise. The Director explained that the actual planning of the exercise started in 2020 but was hampered by COVID-19 related challenges; he thanked all stakeholders for exercising patience and a high degree of flexibility in achieving the predefined objectives of the CPX.

"The theme of the Command Post Exercise Mashariki Salaam III 2022 is “promoting peace and Security through the enhancement of EASF Capacity”.  The Exercise is therefore aimed at developing, consolidating, maintaining and testing the capability of EASF in planning and conducting multidimensional peace support missions both at the strategic and operational levels.  The exercise will also present an opportunity to test the tools as well as the command and control of deployed forces on AU mandated Peace Support Operations", said Brig Gen Fayisa.

The Exercise Director, Brig Dixon Chivatsi, welcomed all the participants to Kenya and urged them to do all that is required of them to ensure the success of the exercise. He also urged the participants to adhere to the Exercise's Code of Conduct and observe COVID-19 containment measures as guided by the host Nation’s Ministry of Health. Brig Chivatsi appreciated the Partners and Friends of EASF, who have availed not only financial, but also technical support towards the conduct of this exercise.

Lt Col Neils, the representative of Chairperson of Friends of EASF (FoEASF) Col Jens G. Lindvig, congratulated the entire EASF fraternity for successfully organizing and rolling out CPX 2022. He underlined the importance of such exercises in ensuring that the pledged capabilities are always ready to intervene and roll out required PSOs should need to do so arise at any given time.

Photo Gallery: EASF's Command Post Exercise 2022 Starts