East African defence ministers meeting discusses formation of a regional peace force
ADDIS ABABA, July 16,2004 (Waltainfo) — The first Meeting of Ministers of Defence and Security of the Eastern Africa Region, which constitute the region forming the Eastern Africa Standby Brigade (EASBRIG) was convened at the AU Conference Center yesterday.
Opening the meeting, President Girma Wolde-Giorgis said that the meeting was called to consider the recommendations of Chiefs of Defence Staff of the Eastern Africa Region held in Jinja, Uganda. “The framework for the establishment of the Eastern Africa Standby Brigade constituting one of the essential components of the peace and security architecture in our continent would be finalized by this meeting,” he added.
The President also said that it was in recognition of the need to address this worrisome situation and the need to bring about sustainable peace and security in the continent that the Heads of State and Government decided to establish the Peace and Security Council (PSC).
“It has become increasingly evident that this collective continental arrangement is the best hope towards achieving our goal of a peaceful Africa,” he said. As part of the overall continental security structure, our region should demonstrate its strong commitment to the objectives of the PSC by redoubling its efforts for the speedy establishment of the Eastern Africa Standby Brigade, President Girma said. The importance of this endeavour is all the more underlined by the need to take proactive measures for acts of genocide to never again occur in Africa, he underscored.
AU Commissioner for Peace and Security, Ambassador Said Djinnit on his part commended the region for the expeditious manner with which it has pursued the matter since the January meeting of the ministers of Defence and Standby Force which recommended the establishment of the standby Brigade for adoption by the AU summit. He said: “This is a reflection of the commitment of the region to the achievement of the objectives of the AU and the implementation of its decisions. It is also a testimony to the growing determination of the region and other regions of the continent with the necessary instruments to enable it effectively address the daunting challenges of peace and security.”
Director of Political and Humanitarian Affairs of IGAD Daniel Yifru said the dream of an African Force started in the 60s immediately after the Organization of African Unity was formed. The dream, according to him, was never allowed to mature due to a combination of factors of fear, suspicion and outright interference by external powers. “The fact that we are at this level of operationalizing the Brigade means we have come of age and have largely outgrown the pressures of external interference and patronage, and our own fear of such capability in the hands of a continental organization,” he said.
Daniel further stated that in the region there are indications that peace agreements will soon be concluded in the two IGAD-sponsored peace processes of Sudan and Somalia. Use of the Brigade will be necessary in post agreement configurations in monitoring cessation of hostilities, protection and settlement of refugees and internally displaced persons, deterring spoilers of peace and other peace-building efforts, he said.
He also said when the Brigade is fully set up in two or more years, IGAD and indeed any other Regional Economic Commission’s role will be limited to a political one while all operational functions will be handled by the planning element and the Brigade headquarters. The daily functions of the Brigade will be handled with by the Staff of the Brigade while issues relating to the coordination of non-operation nature will be handled by the IGAD, he added.