User:JappaaNairobi/EASF

The Eastern Africa Standby Force (EASF), formerly East African Standby Brigade (EASBIG), is one of the five regional multidimensional Forces of the continental African Standby Force (ASF) consisting of a Military, Police and Civilian Component. EASF constitutes the regional operational arm of the peacekeeping elements of the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA), presented in 2002 in the Protocol of the Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU).

Evolution of EASF
EASBRIG, predecessor of EASF, was formed on September 10, 2004 through a Policy Framework between the member states, following the decision of the Summit of the African Union (AU) held in July of that year in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. On April 11, 2005, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between EASBRIG member states, which provided for three components (“structures”) forming the Brigade: A Planning Element, Brigade Headquarters and Logistics Base. A decision of the Eastern Africa Council of Ministers of Defense and Security of March 30, 2007 directed the change of name of the institution from a Brigade into a Force (EASF) in line with a continental directive of the AU Council of Ministers of Defense and Security. It further established a Coordination Mechanism (EASFCOM), enlarging the number of structures of EASF to the current number of four. In order to reflect these changes and the multidimensionality of the Force, a revised MoU and Policy Framework were signed in January 2011.

Organizational Structure
The organs of EASF and their main functions are:
 * 1. The Assembly of Eastern Africa Heads of State and Government
 * The Assembly has the supreme authority over EASF. The Heads of State and Governments meet at least once a year to formulate policies, direct and control the functioning of EASF. In times of crisis, the assembly authorizes the deployment of the Force.


 * 2. The Eastern Africa Council of Ministers of Defense and Security
 * The Council, which congresses at least twice a year, manages all aspects relating to EASF, appoints the Director and Heads of departments of EASFCOM as well as the Commander of EASBRIG.


 * 3. The Eastern Africa Committee of Chiefs of Defense Staff (EACDS)
 * The EACDS serves as an advisory Military Committee of the Council and the Assembly. Its functions are to oversee, direct and manage EASFCOM on all technical matters as well as oversee, direct and manage the PLANELM, EASBRIG HQ and Logistic Base.

The organization of EASF is structured in:


 * 1. The East African Coordination Mechanism (EASFCOM), based in Nairobi, Kenya
 * 2. The Planning Element (PLANELM), based in Nairobi, Kenya
 * 3. The East African Brigade Headquarters (EASBRIG Headquarters), based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
 * 4. The Logistic Base, based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Mandate
Article 13 of the Protocol Relating to the Establishment of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union, signed in 2002, directs the following functions to ASF and EASF:
 * a. observation and monitoring missions;
 * b. other types of peace support missions;
 * c. intervention in a Member State in respect of grave circumstances or at the request of a Member State in order to restore peace and security, in accordance with Article 4(h) and (j) of the Constitutive Act;
 * d. preventive deployment in order to prevent
 * i. a dispute or a conflict from escalating,
 * ii. an ongoing violent conflict from spreading to neighboring areas or States, and
 * iii. the resurgence of violence after parties to a conflict have reached an agreement.;
 * b. peace-building, including post-conflict disarmament and demobilization;
 * c. humanitarian assistance to alleviate the suffering of civilian population in conflict areas and support efforts to address major natural disasters; and
 * d. any other functions as may be mandated by the Peace and Security Council or the Assembly.

According to the Protocol, the ASF or EASF is suggested to cooperate with the United Nations and its Agencies, other relevant international organizations and regional organizations, as well as with national authorities and NGOs, where appropriate. The detailed tasks of the African Standby Force and its modus operandi for each authorized mission are to be considered and approved by the Peace and Security Council upon recommendation of the Commission.