Initial Session of UN Military Experts' Course in Progress

The Eastern Africa Standby Force launched the first of the three planned sessions of the United Nations' Military Experts on Mission (UNMEOM) Course on 3rd April 2018 at the Humanitarian Peace Support School (HPSS) in Embakasi, Nairobi.

The UNMEOM course seeks to prepare and equip officers mainly from the ten EASF Member States with the relevant knowledge and skills which will enable them serve as military observers at any United Nations' peacekeeping mission and particularly in the ongoing UN operations. An in-depth understanding of UN's peacekeeping activities, missions and key principles of personnel's conduct improves the overall operational effectiveness of deployed personnel in the field.

Opening the course on behalf of the Director of EASF was the Head of Civilian Component, Mr. Steve Lalande. Addressing the participants, Mr. Lalande applauded EASF Member States for availing the trainees to the course. He elaborated on the complexity of modern day Peace Support Operations whereby successful rolling out and effective coordination of multidimensional and multinational peace keeping missions is hugely dependent on ample preparedness; which is again anchored on appropriate training. 

The UN Military Experts on Mission course is an important capacity building milestone in EASF's main effort of consolidating and maintaining the Full Operational Capability status attained in December 2014.
 
The course, which comes to an end on 20th April 2018, has drawn a total of 39 participants from the Eastern Africa region. The course is fully funded by the Nordic Advisory and Coordination Staff (NACS).

  Photo-Gallery: Initial Session of UN Military Experts Courses in Progress