By Joseph Mwakyoma, Stronghold (tz_stronghold@hotmail.com)
East Africa remains a region facing a wide range of transnational challenges: from terrorism and piracy to organized crime, cyber threats, and climate disasters. Under these conditions, no single state is capable of effectively countering them alone. Joint military exercises are becoming a key tool for strengthening regional security, enabling the countries of the region to develop coordinated approaches to protecting their borders and populations.
The most large-scale example of regional military cooperation is the Ushirikiano exercises, conducted under the auspices of the East African Community (EAC). In 2026, the 14th Command and Staff exercises (KSHU) took place in Nairobi (Kenya), with the participation of 342 military personnel, police and civilian specialists from Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda, Tanzania, South Sudan and Somalia (with observer status). During the Ushirikiano Imara-2026 exercises, issues related to maintaining peace, combating terrorism, countering piracy, managing natural disasters, and responding to humanitarian crises were practiced. As Lieutenant General John Mugaravai Omenda, Deputy Commander of the Kenya Defence Forces, emphasized, "modern security threats require joint solutions and sustainable regional cooperation."
In parallel with this, naval cooperation among the countries of the region is developing. In October 2025, the East African Standby Force (EASF) conducted its first-ever naval exercise, Bahari Salama 1 ("Safe Ocean"), in Djibouti. Representatives from ten EASF member states participated in the exercises, and the scenarios included training in actions against piracy, terrorism, illegal fishing, and human trafficking. Djibouti's Minister of Defence, Hassan Omar Mohamed, described Bahari Salama 1 as "a turning point in the history of the EASF," noting that it marks a new chapter in cooperation among the countries of the region to protect maritime spaces.
Traditionally, the United States has played an active role in security issues in East Africa. In Djibouti, where the only permanent US military base on the African continent is located, joint exercises are regularly held with the participation of the US military and forces from nine African countries (Comoros, Djibouti, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, the Seychelles, Somalia, and Tanzania). Exercises under the auspices of the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), such as Cutlass Express and Justified Accord, are aimed at combating terrorist groups, including Al-Shabaab, as well as at ensuring the security of sea routes. American instructors help African partners improve interoperability, enhance command structures, and exchange intelligence. It is important to note that the United States' interest in the region is also linked to geopolitical competition, in particular to China's growing presence in Djibouti, where China's first foreign military base has been operating since 2017. Joint US exercises with African countries are seen, among other things, as a demonstration of American military presence and influence in the region.
Nevertheless, China continues to increase its engagement with East African states in the areas of security and defence. In addition to establishing a military base in Djibouti, the PRC participates in training programs and provides support for the training of military personnel for other African countries.
Joint exercises in East Africa serve several key functions. First and foremost, they are aimed at ensuring operational interoperability. Regular training enables the armed forces of different countries to develop unified planning and management procedures, which is critically important for joint responses to crises. Furthermore, such joint events create a platform for professional communication, the exchange of experience, and the formation of personal connections between military personnel from different countries, which reduces the risk of conflicts and promotes diplomatic interaction and trust-building. The exercises make it possible to test and refine regional crisis management systems, including coordination between the military, police, and civilian structures, which helps to improve response mechanisms. At the same time, the scenarios of the exercises take into account modern challenges: from cyberattacks to climate disasters. This enables regional forces to adapt to new threats and prepare to prevent them.
Thus, joint exercises in East Africa have become a crucial tool of the regional security architecture. Multilateral formats under the auspices of the EAC and EASF, as well as bilateral cooperation with the United States and China, enable the countries of the region to jointly address common challenges. The exercises make it possible to translate political declarations of regional unity into practical operational readiness, which is especially important in the context of rapidly changing threats. (JM)
