As we take a look back at 2017, U.S. Africa Command’s “Year in Review” is a brief look at the contributions of AFRICOM’s people, our interagency and international partners, and African partners as we work together toward a more secure, stable and prosperous Africa.
Exercises, Rule of Law engagements, medical training events, conferences on countering violent extremisim, meetings with African leaders, security in East Africa, the first ever African Chiefs of Defense Conference and first ever enlisted senior leader conference, Somalia, Niger, a new state partnership – this is just a sampling of AFRICOM in action with partners on the continent in 2017.
JANUAURY
Paving the road to a more secure Somalia
Leaders meet for the 2017 Somali National Army Symposium
Somali National Army Chief of Defense Forces Maj. Gen. Mohammed Adan Ahmed, right, and Chief of Staff Col. Ahmed Mohammed, left, converse with African Union Mission in Somalia Col. Ali Noor during the SNA Symposium in downtown Mogadishu, Jan. 12, 2017. The symposium is part of an ongoing international effort to aid security conditions throughout Somalia by fostering the growth and revitalization of the national military defense force, which disbanded following the collapse of the country’s central government in 1991. (Photo by Master Sgt. Paul Gorman/Released)
Leaders of the Somali National Army met with international military and civilian officials to discuss the future of Somalia’s security at the 2017 SNA Symposium in downtown Mogadishu, Jan. 10.
More than 60 participants attended the two-day event, including representatives from Denmark, Germany, Italy, Somalia, Turkey, Uganda, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the United States of America. Also in attendance were representatives from international organizations such as the United Nations, the European Union Training Mission, and the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM).
State, Defense officials focus on East Africa security
U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Thomas D. Waldhauser, commander of U.S. Africa Command and Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa Commanding General U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Kurt Sonntag converse during the 2017 East Africa Security Synchronization Conference at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Jan. 24. The two-day event allowed U.S. Embassy representatives from eight East African nations to engage with AFRICOM leadership, and provided the opportunity for an open dialogue to discuss the security environments of each country. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Paul Gorman/Released)
CAMP LEMONNIER, Djibouti – U.S. Embassy representatives from eight East African nations joined military leaders from U.S. Africa Command and Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa at Camp Lemonnier Jan. 24, for the 2017 East Africa Security Synchronization Conference.
“My goal for the conference is that we synchronize the efforts of U.S. AFRICOM, and the visions of the Chiefs of Mission,” Waldhauser said. “I truly view this as partnership.”
He continued by stressing the importance of aligning regional military priorities with those of the ambassador’s host countries. According to Waldhauser, the highest priority must be placed on the concerns of the host nation, followed by those of the embassy, and lastly those of U.S. AFRICOM.
