"Both organizations are convinced that their mission, objectives and activities are complementary and, therefore, have decided to enter into this understanding and cooperate in their realization", Peter J. Croll, Director of BICC, explains.
EASBRICOM is the secretariat of Eastern Africa Region to administer, manage and oversee the development and operations of the Eastern Africa Standby Brigade (EASBRIG) as well as other components of the force, comprising the military, the police and the civilian elements. The force constitutes the continental African Standby Force (ASF). EASBRICOM is mandated, under the African Peace and Security Architecture, to undertake peace support operations as well as conflict resolution. To this end, EASBRICOM is to contribute to the realization of the objectives of the Constitutive Act and the Protocol establishing Peace and Security Council of the African Union. EASBRIG can participate in AU- and UN-mandated missions in Africa and elsewhere.
The Bonn International Center for Conversion (BICC) has accumulated considerable expertise in the field of SALW control, SSR, DD&R and related fields in post-conflict security and development issues.
EASBRIGCOM and BICC envisage cooperation in areas such as:
- Joint training projects to upgrade the capacity of EASBRIG staff, and contributory national staff in the areas of BICC's expertise and other areas as may be requested by EASBRICOM.
- Participation by BICC in the formation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and doctrine for EASBRIG in issues relating to post-conflict peacekeeping, relations with civilian authorities, SALW control, and other areas of joint interest.
- Where possible, undertake joint projects, desk and on-the-ground-research in conflict circle covered under the AU Peace and Security architecture.
- Jointly develop Eastern Africa relevant instruments for research, evaluation, impact assessment, and training for use by EASBRICOM in performing and sustaining its mandate.
- Consultancy, studies and elaboration research to expand on particular issues of interest to EASBRICOM.