The Eastern Africa Standby Force (EASF) has launched a four-day high-level workshop in Kampala to develop a comprehensive Air Operations Manual designed to strengthen regional military coordination and rapid response readiness.
The workshop, officially opened by EASF Joint Chief of Staff Brig. Gen. Stephen Kashure, brings together technical experts from member states to harmonise air capabilities and draft a combined air operations manual alongside a memorandum of understanding to guide joint air missions.
“This workshop marks a critical step toward strengthening regional air coordination and ensuring our forces can respond swiftly and effectively when called upon. By standardising procedures and enhancing interoperability, we are improving readiness while fully respecting the sovereignty of our member states,” Brig. Gen. Kashure said.
The framework under development is expected to streamline deployment procedures, clarify command structures, and enhance coordination during peace support operations, while maintaining the autonomy of participating countries.
EASF Coordinator Colonel Jancy Bizimana said the workshop has attracted eight technical participants from Uganda, Kenya, and Rwanda.
The limited but specialised representation highlights the technical focus on aligning aviation standards, operational doctrines, and communication protocols.
The EASF operates as a regional peace support mechanism under the African Standby Force framework and forms part of the African Peace and Security Architecture established in 2002.
It is responsible for planning and conducting peace support operations across Eastern Africa.
Once finalised, the Air Operations Manual is expected to serve as a structured blueprint for joint missions, covering troop deployment, logistical support, surveillance, and evacuation operations.
The Kampala meeting underscores the region’s increasing emphasis on collective security amid evolving threats and humanitarian challenges across Eastern Africa.
