MOGADISHU, December 16, 2025 (Somalia Tribune) – Somalia on Tuesday hosted the 35th regular session of the Committee of Defence and Security Chiefs of the Eastern Africa Standby Force (EASF), underscoring the country’s expanding role in regional security cooperation.
The high-level meeting, held in Mogadishu, was officially opened by State Minister for Defence Omar Ali Abdi and marked the second major EASF forum hosted by Somalia this year.
Speaking at the opening session, Abdi said Somalia’s role as host reflects growing confidence among regional partners in the country’s improving security and political stability after decades of conflict. He emphasized that security in East Africa is deeply interconnected, warning that instability in one country can quickly spill across borders.
The state minister called on EASF member states to strengthen coordination and adopt joint responses to shared security threats affecting the region and beyond. He urged defence and security chiefs to focus on practical decisions and measurable outcomes that would enhance peace, stability and strategic cooperation.
Abdi reaffirmed Somalia’s full commitment to the Eastern Africa Standby Force, describing it as a vital mechanism for peacekeeping, crisis response and regional stability. He noted that Somalia’s federal parliament has formally ratified the EASF founding charter, providing a clear legal framework for the country’s participation in EASF operations and decision-making.
The Eastern Africa Standby Force, a component of the African Union’s peace and security architecture, plays a key role in peacekeeping, conflict prevention and rapid response to emergencies across East Africa.
Somalia’s hosting of the meeting highlights its growing diplomatic and security engagement within the region as it seeks to contribute more actively to collective peace and security efforts.
