Chiefs of Defence Staff Convene in Addis Ababa

The Eastern Africa Committee of the Defence Staff (EACDS), convened in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on 2nd August 2017 for the 15th Extraordinary Policy Organs Meeting (POM).

The EACDS meeting is the second level of these meetings, after the Experts Working Group concluded on Tuesday, 1st August 2017.

The Meeting was officially opened by Gen Samora Yunus, the Chief of Defence Staff of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia.  In his opening statement, Gen Yunus noted the importance of the Meeting as a key milestone towards regional the efforts for peace and security.

Noting the security challenges in the region, Gen Yunus said, “EASF should continue providing a multi-national and multidimensional capability of Military,  Police and Civilian personnel trained and equipped to the required standards and operating in line with the common Doctrine and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) of the African Union.”

In his opening remarks, Gen Yahya Mohamed Khair, Chairperson of the  EACDS, expressed  appreciation of personnel from EASF Member States who are currently serving in various Peace Support Operations (PSOs) in the region and continent at large.

The Director of EASF, Dr Abdillahi Omar Bouh, expressed appreciation of the support granted by EASF Ministers and Chiefs of Defence and Security as well as all Member States in preparing EASF to participate in the peace efforts in the region, under the guidance of the Africa Union Road Map.

The Chiefs of Defence deliberated on many issues related to preparation of the Field Training Exercise (FTX 17) scheduled for November 2017 in Port Sudan, Republic of The Sudan.  This included the Exercise Design, Manning List and the Budget.

Participants included Chiefs of Defence and representatives from nine out of the ten Member States that constitute EASF.

Photo Gallery: Chiefs of Defence and Security, Addis Ababa, August 2017