Washington, D.C.: The U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) is reinforcing its commitment to enhancing security cooperation with African nations, focusing recently on Angola and Namibia. During a digital press briefing hosted by the U.S. Department of State's Africa Regional Media Hub, AFRICOM leaders shared insights from their recent engagements with these Southern African nations, highlighting efforts to foster stability through local solutions.
According to EMM, Lt. Gen. John W. Brennan, AFRICOM's Deputy Commander, and Ambassador Robert Scott, Deputy to the Commander for Civil-Military Engagement, emphasized the significance of strengthening partnerships with African countries to promote stability and collective defense. Their discussions in Angola and Namibia centered on the U.S. commitment to supporting regional security initiatives that are African-led and cost-effective, minimizing the need for direct U.S. military involvement.
Lt. Gen. Brennan elaborated on the importance of African-led initiatives such as Joint Combined Exchange Training (JCET) programs, which facilitate strategic outcomes by building robust relationships with local partners. He also highlighted exercises like African Lion and Obangame Express, which aim to expand participation from countries like Namibia and Angola to enhance regional security efforts.
Ambassador Scott highlighted the economic implications of security cooperation, noting efforts to develop critical trade corridors such as the Lobito Corridor in Angola. The corridor has significantly reduced transportation times for goods, underscoring the interrelation between security and economic development. The ambassador also mentioned the U.S. collaboration with Angola on maritime domain awareness, emphasizing the use of technologies like SeaVision to enhance coastal security.
During the briefing, journalists raised questions about the nature of U.S. engagement in the region and the importance of avoiding a patron-client dynamic. Lt. Gen. Brennan and Ambassador Scott reiterated that U.S. initiatives are designed to empower African nations with decision-making authority, moving beyond training and equipment support.
The engagement in Angola and Namibia is part of a broader U.S. strategy to expand military and defense cooperation across Southern Africa. Lt. Gen. Brennan confirmed that AFRICOM is actively working to enhance military-to-military exercises with Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries, while also engaging in high-level discussions to bolster regional security frameworks.
The briefing concluded with discussions on the challenges of countering misinformation on social media, particularly from adversarial nations like Russia and China. AFRICOM leaders stressed the importance of refuting false narratives with truthful information and leveraging a network of allies to counteract misinformation campaigns.
The briefing underscored AFRICOM's commitment to fostering a secure and stable environment in Africa through collaborative efforts, emphasizing the importance of security as a foundation for economic growth and development in the region.
