On Monday, August 26, Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Mubarakh Muganga, inaugurated a training session for 23 military officers from Eastern Africa Standby Force (EASF) member countries at the Rwanda Peace Academy in Musanze District.
The Force Headquarters Staff Officers Training of Trainers course, which runs from August 26 to September 6, aims to enhance the capabilities of military staff officers within the EASF and prepare them for future deployments in African Union (AU) and EASF-mandated Peace Support Operations.
The course brings together military personnel from six African nations—Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, and Uganda—as well as officers from the EASF Headquarters in Addis Ababa.
“Those likely to be deployed to AU/EASF-mandated Peace Support Operations must understand the nature of conflict in Africa, be familiar with the decision-making process, and have a strong grasp of the policies, legal frameworks, and doctrines that underpin their organization,” said the Rwandan military chief.
He emphasized that the Training of Trainers course is “the most effective way to build internal capacity within our member states and the EASF region
“It’s a multiplier effect that helps to expand and strengthen the pool of trainers, reducing dependence on external expertise and ensuring a more sustainable form of capacity building,” Muganga said.
Muganga also highlighted the course’s role in enhancing the overall operational readiness of the EASF, contributing to the effectiveness of the African Standby Force in addressing the complex security challenges facing the continent.
“This course is crucial as it will enhance your proficiency in performing staff duties. It will enable you to perform various functions more effectively, professionally, and in an integrated manner, while orienting you to the AU approach to peace support operations,” he said.
Muganga encouraged the participants to share their knowledge and experiences, emphasizing the value of collaboration and learning in such a diverse and dynamic environment.
The opening ceremony was attended by high-ranking officials, including the EASF Force Commander Brigadier General Getachew Ali Mohamed, and Col (Rtd) Jill Rutaremara, Director of the Rwanda Peace Academy.
The military officers will be trained by seven facilitators, drawn from the African Union, Denmark, Kenya, and Rwanda.
The two-week course is designed to build internal capacity within the EASF region by training future trainers who will, in turn, develop and deliver training to other military personnel.
Mohamed said the training of trainers was important because it contributed to the significance of the EASF as a vital regional security mechanism, designed to respond swiftly and effectively to crises and conflicts across Eastern Africa.
This course is essential for strengthening the capability of the Force Headquarters. It prepares future trainers for the standby force headquarters staff course, ensuring that the EASF maintains its operational readiness at the highest level,” he stated.
“You will serve as force multipliers, ensuring that the EASF headquarters stays at the forefront of operational readiness,” Mohamed told the participants.
The training program is designed to equip military personnel with the skills needed to serve as trainers within their national forces, enabling them to disseminate and multiply the knowledge gained across the region.
