The volatile region of East Africa faces dynamic peace and security threats stemming from layers of regional and global fast-changing circumstances. Beset by internal conflicts and superpowers’ race to control the strategic locations, the region encounters unprecedented and imminent security concerns behooving the countries to find a common approach to the common challenges.
From terrorism to arms smuggling to increased militarization, nations live under constant conflicts and instability stoked by the vested interests of regional and foreign forces. Also, there are coordinated attacks posed against member countries requiring governments to join hands and ensure collective solution.
Last week, a bold move was made by Ethiopia, Somalia and Kenya where leaders of the three countries renewed commitment to step up the fight against Al-Shabab and other adversaries.
The triple alliance has been combating the terrorist group for years now putting it under precarious situation weakening its ability to carry out attacks. Particularly, Ethiopia has been spearheading the fight deploying peacekeeping mission and showing unreserved resolve to eradicate the terrorist group. Its troops had been effectively discharging their missions and now remain key part of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS). The leaders agreed to provide regional solutions to regional problems.
To this end, it is expected that the countries of the region will jointly plan to eliminate terrorism, collect timely support, and advise on issues where they can combat terrorism in different ways. Ethiopia as anchor state in the region continues to be at forefront of a regional effort to fight terrorism and ensure stability.
In what could be said another step towards an effective approach to ensure peace and security in the east African region, East Africa Standby Force (EASF)’s experts yesterday held meeting to assess ways of revitalizing the Forces’ working mechanism to combat emerging peace and security challenges.
The outcome of experts’ group meeting would form an agenda to prepare various important documents and improve organizational operation and administrative activities. The prepared documents would help to fill policy gaps and make some amendments on administrative issues and policy documents in order to effectively respond to regional peace and security demand.
The region requires better tools and mechanisms to curb emerging security and peace threats, said EASF Director Brigadier General Getachew Shiferaw. Despite improvements in policy implementations and plan preparations, financial constraint affected EASF’s capacity to properly execute its task, he added.
To scale up the capacity of EASF, member states should commit more resources and develop better organization tool. After all, overcoming complex security challenges must be the main priority and responsibilities of the regional countries.
The Eastern Africa region continues to go through conflicts and crisis that threaten the region’s peace and security. And, developing appropriate mechanisms is a timely task that helps respond to the region’s dynamic situation. The constant changes in global and regional security situations demand dynamism and better and coordinated approach.
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD FRIDAY 10 FEBRUARY 2023
