The East African Standby Force (EASF) has successfully concluded its first-ever naval command exercise, codenamed “Bahari Salama 1” (“Safe Seas 1”), held at the Doraleh Military Base in Djibouti. The exercise marks a significant milestone in the organization’s efforts to strengthen regional maritime security and enhance its peace support capabilities across the East African region.
The closing ceremony was attended by several high-profile figures, including Guest of Honor Hassan Omar Mohamed, Djibouti’s Minister of Defense; General Hassan Dawood Kian, Sudan’s Minister of Defense and Deputy Chairperson of the EASF Council of Ministers of Defense and Security; and Jacob Marksons Oboth, Uganda’s Minister of Defense and Veterans Affairs. Also present were members of the diplomatic corps, accredited ambassadors to Djibouti, military attachés, and representatives from partner organizations of the EASF.
Hosted by the Republic of Djibouti, the two-week exercise brought together representatives from EASF member states, regional defense chiefs, members of the EASF Council of Ministers, diplomats, military attachés, and partner organizations—demonstrating regional solidarity and a shared commitment to peace and maritime cooperation.
In his closing remarks, Djibouti’s Minister of Defense Hassan Omar Mohamed said, “Today marks an important milestone, but it is not the end—it is the beginning of a new chapter,” emphasizing the need for continued cooperation, learning, and investment to strengthen the readiness of the EASF.
In his address, Sudan’s Defense Minister, General Hassan Dawood Kian, highlighted the success of “Bahari Salama 1” in enhancing interoperability, strategic communication, and understanding of maritime legal frameworks among participating nations. He affirmed that the exercise paved the way for improved collective readiness to confront regional maritime threats and support peace operations.
The “Bahari Salama 1” exercise demonstrated the EASF’s operational capability in planning, coordination, and execution of maritime missions in a multinational environment. Its success reflects the growing strength of the EASF as a vital peace and security instrument within the broader African Standby Force framework and underscores the region’s commitment to safeguarding its maritime domain.