Luanda: The Angola-United States Joint Committee for Defense Cooperation (DEFCOM) has been convening in Luanda since Tuesday, with the aim of bolstering bilateral cooperation in defense and security. According to Angola Press News Agency, the high-level discussions involve officials from both nations and are focused on deepening the institutional dialogue that began in 2024 in Washington. This dialogue is underpinned by a Memorandum of Understanding between Angola's Ministry of National Defense and the United States Department of Defense. During the opening session, Angola's Secretary of State for Military Industry, Afonso Carlos Neto, expressed Angola's intention to enhance national competencies by promoting technology transfer, scientific research, local production, and sustainable industrial partnerships. The goal is to establish a national conglomerate that can support military equipment maintenance and modernization, as well as produce technological systems for the defense sector. Afonso Carlos Neto h ighlighted that a robust defense industry is crucial for national sovereignty, economic diversification, and creating highly skilled jobs. He further noted Angola's interest in identifying new cooperation opportunities with the U.S., involving public institutions, universities, research centers, and defense industry companies. The meeting is expected to yield new agreements in training, cyber defense, artificial intelligence applications, critical infrastructure protection, maritime security, military medicine, engineering, emergency response, and industrial capability enhancement. Neto also expressed interest in expanding cooperation in peacekeeping, joint exercises, academic exchanges, and developing innovative security solutions. Shannon Cazeau, the Chargé d'Affaires of the U.S. Embassy in Angola, acknowledged Angola's significant role in regional peace and security. She emphasized Washington's high regard for the bilateral partnership and the strengthening of relations, which have evolved from a distant relationship to a partnership grounded in mutual respect, economic cooperation, and shared interests over the last decade. Cazeau noted that over 60 American companies are currently operating in Angola, investing billions in various sectors. Since 1994, the U.S. has invested over $160 million in landmine removal in Angola, aiming for the country to be mine-free by the decade's end. Additionally, approximately four billion dollars are being mobilized through the Lobito Corridor for infrastructure projects to bolster economies and enhance connectivity. The U.S. and Angola also collaborate in trade, energy, security, public health, education, infrastructure, and regional stability sectors. DEFCOM serves as the primary platform for strategic defense and security dialogue between the two nations, facilitating strengthened cooperation, regional stability, and identifying new collaborative opportunities.
