Military officers from member states of the Eastern Africa Standby Force (EASF) have been urged to promote effective planning in peace support operations on the African continent.
This was said on Friday, September 6, as 23 military officers from EASF countries completed the Force Headquarters Staff Officers Training of Trainers Course at Rwanda Peace Academy in Musanze District. The participants came from Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, Uganda, and EASF headquarters.
The closing ceremony of the two-week course was attended by Maj Gen Andrew Kagame of the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) and Brig Gen Stephen Tumwesigye Kashure, the Joint Chief of Staff at the EASF Planning Element, both of whom commended the participants for their dedication and commitment to enhancing regional peacekeeping efforts.
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The primary objective of the course was to prepare the participants to become future instructors at the EASF Force Headquarters, equipping them with the skills and knowledge required to command multinational peace support operations.
The training also focused on operational-level battle procedures, decision-making processes, logistics, and the critical role of information operations in modern peacekeeping missions.
Kagame commended the officers for their dedication to the training, emphasizing the importance of the skills they had acquired during the program.
"The knowledge and skills you’ve gained are crucial for peace support operations across the region. You are not only prepared to serve but are now empowered to become leaders and instructors in the peacekeeping field,” Kagame said.
He further highlighted the significance of the course in building a solid foundation for future peace operations.
"You now possess the tools and insights needed to navigate complex mission environments, from logistics and decision-making to operational planning,” he said.
The course was facilitated by seven trainers from the African Union, Denmark, Kenya, and Rwanda. During the training, participants were introduced to the Integrated Mission Planning Process and the EASF&039;s doctrinal documents, which include Standard Operating Procedures and an updated training policy.
These tools are essential for coordinating efforts between military, civilian, and police stakeholders in peace support missions under the African Union framework.
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Col (Rtd) Jill Rutaremara, Director of the Rwanda Peace Academy, noted the critical role the training would play in bolstering the capabilities of the region’s peacekeeping forces.
"The skills and knowledge gained here will not only benefit the participants but will also be passed on to future generations, ensuring that the EASF remains a formidable and effective peacekeeping force,” Rutaremara said.
He added that the course would enhance the capabilities of EASF officers, preparing them to meet the evolving challenges of peacekeeping across the continent.