Mogadishu, December 18–19, 2025 — Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre on Thursday officially closed the 35th Ordinary Policy Organs Meeting of the Eastern Africa Standby Force (EASF), hailing Somalia’s growing role in regional security and its progress in peacebuilding and state reconstruction.
The high-level summit, held in Mogadishu from December 13 to 18, brought together defense ministers, military commanders, and security experts from EASF member states to review regional security challenges and set strategic priorities for the future.
In his closing remarks, Prime Minister Barre praised Somalia’s Ministry of Defense for successfully organizing the series of meetings, which included sessions of technical experts, military leadership, and ministers. He said hosting such a major regional forum in Mogadishu reflects the confidence East African countries now place in Somalia and underscores the country’s return to the center of regional decision-making.
The prime minister noted that Eastern Africa continues to face shared threats, including terrorism, cross-border crime, maritime insecurity, climate-related challenges, and humanitarian crises. He stressed that addressing these issues requires coordinated regional efforts that combine security measures with development initiatives and diplomatic solutions.
Somalia’s Minister of Defense, Ahmed Moalim Fiqi, also addressed the gathering, emphasizing the importance of unity, cooperation, and accountability among EASF member states. He said the resolutions adopted during the meeting would strengthen the operational capacity of the Standby Force and contribute to preventing security threats and promoting lasting stability across the region.
During the summit, Somalia formally handed over the EASF chairmanship to Uganda after holding the position for the past year. The transition was marked by a ceremonial transfer of the EASF flag conducted by an elite unit of the Somali National Army.
Concluding the event, Prime Minister Hamza thanked all participating delegations for their contributions, expressing confidence that the decisions reached in Mogadishu would help advance peace, stability, and collective security throughout Eastern Africa.
