RDF pledges medical support as EASF takes over the African Union Standby Force

Nairobi, 20 June 2019

Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) has pledged to provide medical support for the Eastern African Standby Force (EASF) as the body takes over the continental Standby Force for the African Union with effect from 1 July 2019. The medical support will be equivalent to a Level II Hospital. 

EASF is a regional organisation whose mandate is to enhance peace and security in the Eastern Africa region.  It is one of the five regional multidimensional Forces of the African Standby Force (ASF).

The EASF was put in place by the African Union giving it responsibility for rolling out Peace Support Operations, should a crisis arise anywhere on the continent.

The Planning Joint Chief of Staff of EASF, Maj Gen Charles Rudakubana says that Rwanda has been contributing to the development of the organisation for the last 15 years. "Starting from 1 July, RDF will be on standby to deploy medical officers in case there is need,"said Maj Gen Rudakubana.

EASF declared Full Operational Capability (FOC) in December 2014 with an equipped multidimensional and multinational force of 5200 personnel which comprises of Military, Police and Civilian components. For two weeks, delegates from 10 member states undertook Force Headquarters Training in Nairobi before the block takes over as the AU Standby Force.