EASF Strengthens Cooperation with the Union Of Comoros

Moroni, Union of Comoros | 24 August 2026 – The Director of the Eastern Africa Standby Force (EASF), Brig. Gen. Ronald Rwivanga, has today held high-level discussions with the Minister of Interior of the Union of Comoros, H.E. Mohamed Ahamada Assoumani, during his official visit to the country.

 The meeting provided a platform for EASF and the Government of the Union of Comoros to deepen their partnership and explore practical ways of enhancing preparedness and response to emerging security, humanitarian and disaster-related challenges affecting the region, with Particular emphasis placed on EASF Scenario Seven – Humanitarian Assistance and Natural Disasters, which is designed to strengthen the capacity of Member States to collectively respond to natural disasters and humanitarian emergencies when called upon.

The EASF Director commended the country's continued engagement with EASF and reaffirmed the organization's commitment to working closely with its Member States in strengthening collective security and rapid response capabilities. He noted that the evolving threat landscape, characterized by climate-induced disasters, transnational threats and humanitarian crises, requires enhanced interoperability and solidarity among Member States.

On his part The Minister of Interior provided an overview of the major natural hazards facing the Union of Comoros, highlighting the country's vulnerability to cyclones, floods, volcanic eruptions and other climate-related emergencies, that he noted have far-reaching consequences, including loss of life, displacement of communities, destruction of infrastructure, disruption of livelihoods and interruption of essential services.

The Minister stressed the importance of strengthening both national and regional preparedness and response mechanisms to ensure that the country is better equipped to anticipate, manage and recover from emergencies.

The Director also held discussions with the Acting Chief of the Defence Forces (CDF), Colonel Dailami Saindon Benali, where he expressed appreciation for the invitation to EASF to participate in the Cyclone NOURA Simulation Exercise (SIMEX), noting that the exercise will provide an important opportunity for EASF to gain practical insights into the country's disaster preparedness, emergency response and coordination mechanisms.

The Acting CDF reaffirmed the commitment of the Comoros Defence Forces to EASF and its activities, emphasizing the importance of continued regional cooperation in addressing shared security and humanitarian challenges.

The engagement highlighted the Cyclone NOURA SIMEX as a valuable platform for generating lessons and best practices that can contribute to strengthening EASF's preparedness and capacity to support Member States in humanitarian assistance and natural disaster response.

The participation of EASF in the exercise further reinforces the organization's commitment to learning from Member States' experiences and promoting practical regional cooperation in disaster management.

The two separate engagements further strengthen the foundation for enhanced cooperation between EASF and the Union of Comoros in humanitarian assistance, disaster preparedness, resilience and emergency response, while reaffirming EASF’s readiness to support Member States within its mandate when called upon.