EASF LOGISTICS MAP EXERCISE KICKS OFF IN RWANDA

Thirty (30) military and police officers, together with civilian personnel from Eastern Africa Standby Force (EASF) Member States, EASF Headquarters and other partner institutions, today commenced the Logistics Map Exercise (MAPEX) 2026 at the Rwanda Military Academy, Gako, in Bugesera District. The exercise aims to enhance participants’ knowledge and skills in managing logistics and supply chain functions in demanding operational environments.

The two-week exercise will strengthen participants’ capacity to prepare, deploy and sustain forces in support of peace support operations, humanitarian assistance and disaster response.

During the official opening ceremony, the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) Chief of Defence Staff, Gen MK Mubarakh, underscored the critical role of logistics, noting that it is essential to the success of any operation.

“Logistics is a critical and strategic enabler of operational effectiveness, and the success of any operation depends not only on sound planning, capable personnel and effective command arrangements, but also on the timely availability of transport, equipment, supplies, medical support and other essential resources required to deploy and sustain forces in mission areas,” said Gen Mubarakh.

He further encouraged participants to engage actively, share experiences and work collaboratively towards realistic and actionable solutions.

Gen Mubarakh also emphasised that the Republic of Rwanda remains committed to regional cooperation and collective efforts to promote peace, security and stability.

The Director of the Eastern Africa Standby Force (EASF), Brig Gen Ronald Rwivanga, said the exercise is intended to test assumptions, identify capability gaps, examine deployment options, strengthen interoperability and determine whether the EASF can translate its established structures and commitments into a credible, timely and sustainable operational response.

He emphasised that a force is not truly ready simply because it has been assembled; it is ready when it can deploy on time, arrive with the right capabilities, sustain itself in the operational environment and accomplish its assigned mission.

Participants are drawn from nine EASF Member States, namely Burundi, Comoros, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, Sudan and Uganda, as well as other partner institutions.