The sooner a regional Standby Force can be ready, the better

News that the Eastern Africa Standby Force (EASF) will be in place by December this year is welcome because the sooner this is implemented, the better the security of persons and property in the region. It is indeed reassuring to hear that ministers from 10 countries that make up the EASF expressed their dedication to see the force operational before year end as they wrapped up a meeting in Kigali on Friday. This force is needed because well known terrorist groups such as FDLR, ADF-NALU, Al-Shabaab and LRA lurk in the region and their cowardly attacks have hurt civilians in the past.