Ethiopian Defense Leadership Receives Incoming and Outgoing EASF Directors in Addis Ababa

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – 19 May 2026 – The Minister of Defense of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Hon. Eng. Aisha Mohammed Mussa, together with the Chief of General Staff, Field Marshal Birhanu Jula Galalcha, today received the Outgoing Director of the Eastern Africa Standby Force (EASF), Brigadier (Rtd) Paul Kahuria Njema, alongside the Incoming Director, Brigadier General Ronald Rwivanga.

The meeting was held at the Federal Defense Headquarters in Addis Ababa and focused on key regional peace and security matters affecting the Eastern Africa region.

Discussions covered the regional security outlook, the crisis in Somalia, the ongoing conflict in Sudan, and the spillover effects of the situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on EASF Member States. The meeting also addressed security challenges in South Sudan, climate-induced security concerns, and the overall outlook and future direction of the EASF.

The engagement reaffirmed the commitment of Ethiopia and EASF leadership to strengthening regional cooperation, peace, and security within the Eastern Africa region.