Participants of the Integrated Mission Administration Course (IMAC) pose for a group photo. The course was undertaken in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from 19th to 30th August,2024.
In a significant step toward enhancing regional peacekeeping capabilities, three Kenyan officers drawn from the Kenya Defence Forces, National Police and Ministry for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, were part of a cohort of 26 government officials from 10 East African Standby Force (EASF) member states who recently completed the Integrated Mission Administration Course (IMAC) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from 19th to 30th August,2024.
The two-week intensive program, aimed to provide a comprehensive understanding of effective planning and execution in various operational contexts in peace support operations within the United Nations and African Union.
Key objectives of the IMAC training included developing strategies for administrative and financial support, air and maritime operations, and logistics within the framework of the African Standby Force (ASF) command structure.
Participants hailed from Burundi, Comoros, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Seychelles, Somalia, Sudan, and Uganda, reflecting the regional commitment to collaborative peacekeeping efforts. The curriculum covered eight broad learning outcomes, including an overview of the African Standby Force, mission administration processes, and simulation exercises to improve practical skills in peace support operations.
The training was inaugurated by Brigadier Paul Njema, Director of EASF from Kenya, while the closing ceremony was presided over by Brigadier General Getachew Ali Mohamed, EASF Force Commander from Ethiopia, who awarded certificates to the participants. This initiative marks a vital step in strengthening the region’s capacity for effective peacekeeping and conflict resolution within the AU’s Peace and Security Architecture.