Botswana: The United States of America and Botswana have come together to co-host a two-day meeting of African Chiefs of Defense. The opening ceremony of the event was hosted at the Gaborone International Convention Centre in Gaborone on Tuesday.
The 2024 edition of the event marks the first time that the conference is happening on the African continent. The conference which was slated for the last week of June, was presided over by the President of Botswana, Mokgweetsi EK Masisi.
The event brings together military leaders from across Africa to exchange knowledge, encourage partnerships and foster collaboration. The aim of the conference is to address shared security and stability challenges of the African Continent.
The theme of the event was “Together on the Rampant: Expanding Cooperation and Sharing Values.” The theme of the conference brings attention to the security and stability concerns faced by the African continent.
The President of Botswana delivered a brief address at the event. During his address, President Dr. Masisi highlighted that there is urgent need to face the growing disquiet about the disrespect of the democratic ideals of constitutionally elected governments on the African continent by the military.
“This kind of regression in the continent’s political order poses a serious threat to the stability of nations,” Dr. Masisi observed.
On the other hand, the members of the US Delegation also shared their views on the situation in Africa.
“[In] every country, there are layered threats, especially across the Sahel,” said Marine Corps Gen. Michael Langley, commander of U.S. Africa Command. “Every country has their different type challenges [and] drivers of instability. That is what will be tabled for discussions.”
Langley added that the US is known among African nations as an “enabler” that can be depended on to help partners achieve their own security goals — not just by working through the military services, but with other U.S. government agencies, as well.
“What we bring to the picture, that enduring solution, is a whole-of-government approach,” Langley said. “We are a ‘3D’ organization of diplomacy, defense and development.”
The headquarters of the US agency for International development US agency for International development have representatives of State Department. This way, has the greater piece of the interagency, which can help in addressing the security threats that Africa is facing.