The U.S. Military Basic is visiting Somalia and Djibouti
MOGADISHU, Somalia – The U.S. African Command Commander, Basic Stephen Townsend, ended his journey to Africa on Tuesday, visiting each Somalia and Djibouti, the place Washington has strategic pursuits, notably in the safety and growth sectors.
In the course of the journey, Townsend presided over the mixed joint activity power of the Horn of Africa [CJTF-HOA] change of command ceremony and cooperation with companions within the area. The USA has troops stationed in Djibouti.
“I got here on this journey to East Africa for 3 causes, first to Djibouti to supervise the change of command of the Horn of CJTF Africa, the place Main Basic Lapthe Flora handed over duty to Main Basic Invoice Zana,” Townsend mentioned. “Secondly, to go to with our troops in Somalia working with our Somali and AMISOM companions there, and thirdly to interact with Djibouti and Somali leaders and companions from the worldwide neighborhood. It has been an informative and productive go to. ”
However the main focus of his journey was extra in Somalia, a rustic scuffling with instability that additionally doesn’t but maintain elections after an inner political dispute. The USA has been on the entrance traces and has been pushing for peace and stability within the area for thus many months now.
In January, Washington withdrew all troops serving in Somalia following a decree from former President Donald Trump, a transfer criticized by each the opposition and the federal government. There have been near 700 U.S. African commandos serving to within the struggle in opposition to Al-Shabaab.
In the course of the go to to Kismayo, Townsend met with the President of the Jubaland Authorities, Ahmed Mohamed Islam Madobe, to talk about cooperation in opposition to terrorism.
Moreover, whereas in Somalia, Townsend met with Protection Minister Hassan Hussein Hajji; Somali Nationwide Military Deputy Chief of Protection Forces, Brig. Gener, Abbas Amin Ali; and colleagues from the US Embassy in Mogadishu, together with Colleen Crenwelge, Deputy Head of Mission / Chargé d’affaires, to talk about safety cooperation efforts and strengthen vital partnerships within the area.
Townsend additionally engaged with a number of ambassadors from the worldwide neighborhood to talk about how multinational efforts and communications can proceed to enhance safety within the area.
“The US Africa Command is working with our worldwide companions to assist Somalia meet its many safety challenges. “It stays vital for Somalia’s leaders to resolve their ongoing political disagreement to give attention to their vital safety threats,” Townsend mentioned. “It’s also vital that Al-Shabaab’s affect and ambitions stay in examine. Al-Shabaab’s means to threaten regional stability and to perform exterior operations have to be degraded. ”
On the tour, Townsend was accompanied by Command Senior Enlisted Chief, Sgt. Might. Richard Thresher. Thresher’s presence demonstrated the precedence positioned on creating the enlisted corps of companion forces. In the course of the tour, Thresher and Townsend made numerous engagements and acknowledged troops within the area.
“Each time I actually have the chance to come back to the continent to interact with our African and worldwide companions, it deepens our collective means to work collectively in a significant method to enhance safety, stability and interoperability within the area,” mentioned Thresher.
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