Regional force formed to fight piracy
Foreign Affairs minister Moses Wetang’ula addresses journalists as East Africa Chiefs of Defence chairperson Brigadier-General Salimou Amiri (to the minister’s left) looks on at the International Mine Action Training Centre in Embakasi on Monday. Photo/HEZRON NJOROGE
East African countries have assembled a 7,000-strong standby brigade to respond to piracy and other crises within the region.
Foreign Affairs minister Moses Wetang’ula said the East African Region Command Post Exercise, launched yesterday, was ready to combat piracy in the Indian Ocean and conflicts in the region whenever they arise.
The force will be headed by the chairperson of the East Africa Chiefs of Defence and chief of Defence Forces, Union of Comoros, Brigadier-General Salimou Amiri and director of East Africa Standby Brigade (Eastbrig) Simon Mulongo.
It will have a multinational headquarters manned by 65 personnel, a headquarters and signal support unit of 120 officers, multinational forces from all member states and civilian and police personnel.
The Foreign Affairs minister said the piracy problem in Somalia, which started as renegade youths targeting relief ships, has grown bigger with experienced and well-organised groups now attacking super-tankers.
Its mandate
“The Eastbrig is challenged to prove itself and expand its mandate not only on shore but also offshore,” Mr Wetang’ula said.
He said the Command Post Exercise would help the region attain the necessary operational capability for deployable forces envisaged under the African Peace and Security Architecture.
“It is a litmus test to determine the level of readiness of our East African Standby Force, in accordance with the African Union roadmap on Common Defence and Security programme.
“It is the visualisation of Africa’s self-reliance. I have no doubt that this is the answer to Africa’s security problems,” said Mr Wetang’ula.
The minister appealed to the organisers to extend the unit’s mandate from peace-keeping to intervention whenever there is a flare-up in the region.
Mr Wetang’ula said the force would increase political and military cohesion among member states.
Officers from 12 countries of the region are among the Command Post Exercise and have been training jointly.
The mission will complement African Union forces and the United Nations peace-keeping missions in the region.
