EASF Director Strengthens Ties Through Courtesy Visit to Somalia Embassy in Nairobi

Nairobi, Kenya – 11 June 2026 – The Eastern Africa Standby Force (EASF) continued its diplomatic outreach efforts as the Director of EASF, Eastern Africa Standby Force Brig. Gen. Ronald Rwivanga, paid a courtesy visit to H.E. Jabril Ibrahim Abdulle, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Somalia to Kenya, at the Somali Embassy in Nairobi. He was accompanied by senior EASF officials including Mr. Dahir Meraneh, Head of Peace Support Operations Department, Ms. Noowe Kakoono Monalisa, Head of the Civilian Component, Ms. Catherine (EA), and Maj. Abdi Karim, Chief J2/J3.

This visit marks the Director’s third engagement with Member State embassies within a month, following similar courtesy calls to the Ugandan Embassy on 5 June and the Embassy of Djibouti on 8 June. The engagements are part of EASF’s continued efforts to strengthen coordination, cooperation, and communication with Member States represented in Nairobi.

During the discussions, Brig. Gen. Rwivanga briefed the Ambassador on EASF’s mandate as a regional standby force under the African Peace and Security Architecture of the African Union. He highlighted the organization’s membership of nine Eastern African countries, its institutional structure, and key operational achievements, including attainment of Full Operational Capability (FOC), enhanced force generation processes, operational planning development, execution of major exercises such as Amani Africa, deployment of election observation missions, and fact-finding missions conducted in Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and Somalia. He also outlined existing operational and resource-related challenges affecting mandate delivery.

Ambassador Abdulle welcomed the delegation and underscored the importance of traditional peace mechanisms, particularly the role of elders in mediation and conflict prevention. He further emphasized strengthening the use of civilian components in peacebuilding and conflict resolution, noting their effectiveness in preventive diplomacy. On resource mobilization, he encouraged EASF to explore opportunities under the African Union Peace Fund and expand partnerships with regional and international stakeholders.

The Ambassador reaffirmed Somalia’s commitment to continued collaboration with EASF in advancing peace and stability across the Eastern Africa region.