Rwanda joined other Eastern African countries for the 36th Ordinary Policy Organs Meeting of the Eastern Africa Standby Force (EASF) in Kampala, Uganda, where member states discussed strengthening regional security cooperation and the force’s preparedness.
The meeting was held on August 14, 2026, and brought together defence and security ministers and senior representatives from EASF member states. It marked the conclusion of the 36th EASF Policy Organs Meetings, which began on August 10 with an Experts Working Group meeting, followed by the Committee of Chiefs of Defence and Security.
Rwanda’s delegation was led by Defence Minister Juvenal Marizamunda and included Maj Gen Vincent Nyakarundi, representing the Chief of Defence Staff, and Rt Hon Bernard Makuza, who chairs the EASF Panel of Eminent Persons.
Discussions focused on strengthening defence and security cooperation among member states, improving the force’s readiness and operational capabilities, and enhancing the use of technology in security operations.
The meeting also addressed resource mobilisation and the need to strengthen the financial sustainability of the regional force.
The EASF is a regional component of the African Peace and Security Architecture. Its policy organs include the Assembly of Heads of State and Government, the Council of Ministers of Defence and Security, and the Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff.
The force is mandated to provide a regional capacity for peace support operations and to respond to crises in Eastern Africa and, when mandated, elsewhere on the continent. Its structures include a secretariat, a planning element and a logistics base.
The Kampala meeting comes as EASF member states continue efforts to strengthen regional mechanisms for addressing peace and security challenges and improving coordination among participating countries.
