The need for a common African defence and security policy was stressed during the Inaugural Summit of the African Union (AU), held in Durban, South Africa, in July 2002, when the Assembly of Heads of State and Government deliberated the proposal of Libyan leader that Africa establishes a single continental army. The African leaders were also motivated to respond to the multifaceted challenges to stability, security and cooperation on the continent. It is in this context that the Constitutive Act of the AU in Article 4(d) calls for the establishment of a common defence policy for the African continent.
In implementing the AU Commission’s requirements, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) convened the Jinja meeting of Experts in February 2004 on the establishment of the Eastern Africa Standby Brigade (EASBRIG). This was followed by a meeting of Eastern African Chiefs of Defence Staff (EACDS) from the Comoros (which sent a representative), Djibouti, Kenya, Madagascar, Rwanda, Somalia, Sudan and Uganda, the defence attaché of Tanzania, who attended as an observer and a representative from the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA). There were also observers from the Multinational Stand-by High Readiness Brigade for United Nations operations (SHIRBRIG) and Reinforcement of African Peacekeeping Capacity (RECAMP). It was noted that, once established, EASBRIG would encompass 13 east African countries. Hence, in addition to those mentioned above would be included Eritrea, Ethiopia, Mauritius and the Seychelles.
EASBRICOM was operationalized following the approval by the 1st Extraordinary Summit of Head of State and Government of the Eastern Africa Region, held on the 28thJanuary 2007 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia at the Sidelines of the AU Summit.
EASBRICOM being the “Independent Coordination Secretariat” for EASBRIG is now known as EASBRICOM.
The establishment of the Eastern African Standby Brigade Coordination Mechanism (EASBRICOM) aims to provide the Eastern Africa Region with appropriate capabilities to prevent and manage the incidence of conflicts, and facilitate rebuilding. The EASBRICOM will consist of relevant political organs, as the decision making authority for the Eastern Africa Region; and the operational structures of the EASBRICOM.
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