The chair of the annual Eastern Africa standby force and the minister of defense in the federal government of Somalia, H.E. Ahmed Moallim, has reaffirmed Somalia’s strong commitment to regional peace and security.

Addressing the 35th ordinary session of the council of ministers of defense and security of the Eastern Africa Standby Force (EASF), hosted in Mogadishu, Minister Moallim noted the shared responsibility and coordinated action needed to resolve regional security challenges.

He further revealed that Somalia is actively growing its influence in the EASF framework, noting that on December 3, 2025, the Somali parliament approved the EASF establishment act.

The council met to tackle complex security challenges in the Horn of Africa and review the outcomes of the recently concluded forum of experts and committee chiefs of defense.

The council agenda addressed the 2026 EASF work plan, security assessment in east Africa, accountability, and budget reviews and implementations.

Senior representatives from the African Union, AUSSOM, the EASF secretariat, and partner countries underscored the importance of the EASF in the region in resolving complex security challenges and enhancing peace and progressive stability.