The Eastern Africa Standby Force (EASF) has concluded a high-level meeting in Kigali aimed at strengthening air operations within regional peace support and disaster response missions.
The meeting focused on validating key guiding documents, including the air operations manual, standard operating procedures, and mutual assistance frameworks designed to enhance coordinated responses during emergencies across member states.
Brig Gen Louis Kanobayire, representing the Chief of Defence Staff of the Rwanda Defence Force, said the discussions aimed to enhance the capacity of the EASF air component and address operational challenges affecting mission effectiveness.
He emphasized the critical role of air forces in rapid emergency response, particularly in evacuating critically ill patients and transporting casualties requiring urgent medical attention.
He noted that air assets are essential for reaching affected areas quickly, especially where ground infrastructure has been damaged or rendered inaccessible, underscoring their life-saving importance in crisis situations.
Delegates also visited the Kigali Genocide Memorial in Gisozi, where they paid tribute to victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
