U.S. Africa Command hosts Security Implications of Climate Change Symposium

"When we look at climate change and how climate change impacts Africa, it's important we look at the full scope of how it affects societies, governments, and people," said U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen Kirk Smith, U.S. Africa Command Deputy Commander. "We clearly know that environmental change is a driver of instability, and we recognize that other entities - whether we call them competitors or adversaries - are going to take advantage of that [instability]."

The event convened subject matter experts on the physical and social impacts of climate change in Africa with decision-makers, planners, and other stakeholders to better understand and plan for security implications across the continent.

By U.S. Air Force Maj. Cara Bousie , United States Africa Command Stuttgart, Germany Feb 02, 2022

View Gallery

Gallery contains 3 images

Photo 1 of 3

U.S. Africa Command hosts Security Implications of Climate Change Symposium

Participants from across the globe attended a two-day Security Implications of Climate Change Symposium at U.S. Africa Command headquarters in Stuttgart, Germany, from Jan. 27-28. The hybrid in-person and virtual event – first in a series hosted by U.S. Africa Command – brought together think tanks, academics, allies, partners and representatives from the U.S. Agency for International Development and Departments of State and Defense to identify gaps in knowledge and understanding related to the climate and security.

Download image

Photo by: U.S. Africa Command Public Affairs

Photo 2 of 3

U.S. Africa Command hosts Security Implications of Climate Change Symposium

U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen Kirk Smith, U.S. Africa Command deputy commander speaks to attendees about the importance of understanding how climate has security implications in Africa. Participants from across the globe attended a two-day Security Implications of Climate Change Symposium at U.S. Africa Command headquarters in Stuttgart, Germany, from Jan. 27-28.

Download image

Photo by: U.S. Africa Command Public Affairs

Photo 3 of 3

U.S. Africa Command hosts Security Implications of Climate Change Symposium

U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Mark Hovatter, deputy director, Plans and Strategic Integration, was the command's lead proponent for examining the security implications of climate change. The hybrid in-person and virtual event – first in a series hosted by U.S. Africa Command – brought together think tanks, academics, allies, partners and representatives from the U.S. Agency for International Development and Departments of State and Defense to identify gaps in knowledge and understanding related to the climate and security.

Download image

Photo by: U.S. Africa Command Public Affairs

Participants from across the globe attended a two-day Security Implications of Climate Change Symposium at U.S. Africa Command headquarters in Stuttgart, Germany, Jan. 27-28. The event convened subject matter experts on the physical and social impacts of climate change in Africa with decision-makers, planners, and other stakeholders to better understand and plan for security implications across the continent.

"When we look at climate change and how climate change impacts Africa, it's important we look at the full scope of how it affects societies, governments, and people," said U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen Kirk Smith, U.S. Africa Command Deputy Commander. "We clearly know that environmental change is a driver of instability, and we recognize that other entities - whether we call them competitors or adversaries - are going to take advantage of that [instability]."

The hybrid in-person and virtual event – first in a series hosted by U.S. Africa Command – brought together think tanks, academics, allies, partners and representatives from the U.S. Agency for International Development and Departments of State and Defense to identify gaps in knowledge and understanding related to the climate and security.

"What we've got to do first is agree on the problems that need to be solved together and within the realm of what AFRICOM, the interagency team, our allies and partners can actually accomplish," said U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Mark Hovatter, Deputy Director, Plans and Strategic Integration and the command's lead proponent for examining the security implications of climate change. "Climate change and its relation to conflict and instability is not new, and it is central to the emerging National Security Strategy and National Defense Strategy. Our task here at AFRICOM is to bring the team together that can address this challenge and ensure that future generations can welcome a legacy of unlocked potential across Africa."

By discussing past successes and ongoing efforts, participants sought to pinpoint future opportunities. Engagement also focused on helping U.S. Africa Command strategists and planners access the right tools and resources to incorporate lessons learned into plans and operations.

U.S. Military Chaplains Increase Readiness at SADC Chaplains Conference

Flintlock 2025: 20 Years of Enhancing SOF Readiness in Africa

USAFRICOM Successfully Tests AI-Powered Personnel System During Continuity of Operations Exercise

U.S. Forces Conduct Strike Targeting ISIS-Somalia

U.S. Forces Conduct Strike Targeting al Shabaab

Army lawyers provide training on rules for armed conflict at exercise Justified Accord

NAIROBI, Kenya – Among the flurry of tactical live fires and squad movement drills, air ground integration and even the humanitarian initiatives at exercise Justified Accord 2025 (JA25), lies the one thing those who serve in any armed force must follow: The Law. The Law of Armed Conflict, or LOAC, is a key aspect of training for any military. JA25’s academics course aimed at learning from the international legal lessons of previous wars in an effort to reduce the amount of human suffering in future conflicts. “The soldier’s rules are a broad set of rules that we have pulled from the large breadth of international law,” said U.S. Army Maj. Tim Olliges, an operational law attorney assigned to U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), the lead U.S. Army command and planner of JA25. “The LOAC is extensive and can be complex, so we pull out the ten most critical concepts that every soldier, right down to the private, should know before they go into combat.”

US, Kenya prepare for the unimaginable CBRN threat

NAIROBI, Kenya – Imagine two scenarios. Scenario 1: Dawn breaks over the capital of Kenya. A U.S. diplomat leaves his residence for the embassy. After a 20-minute ride, his car arrives at the gate and he enters. He sits in his office to begin the day when, all of a sudden, he hears an explosion through the open window. It seems far off; it is not a large explosion. He thinks maybe it was just a car accident, but minutes later he smells something bitter in the air. His eyes water, sirens blare and a U.S. Marine Corps security detail enters his office wearing gas masks. They put a mask on him and tell him they must evacuate immediately because a deadly chemical is blowing over the compound. Scenario 2: U.S. intelligence receives credible information that radiological material is being loaded onto a ship in the Kenyan port city of Mombasa. Time is short and no one knows which ship, only that it will embark soon, possibly bound for the hands of violent extremists or other state actors looking to imperil the U.S. homeland. There is no time to send U.S. security forces to intercept the package. Instead, the Kenyan Disaster Response Battalion (DRB) mobilizes and arrives at the port. Using tactics and tools gained from years of training with the United States, they find the ship and the weapon, placed there by a violent extremist organization, and prevent its departure, defeating the threat to America and its citizens. Similar scenarios have happened before in other areas of the world.

36th Annual International Military Chiefs of Chaplains Conference and First Chaplain Africa Forum held in Brussels

The U.S. European Command (EUCOM) and Belgian Ministry of Defence, in partnership with U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) and U.S. Indo Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) Chaplain Directorates, hosted the world’s largest annual meeting of senior military religious leaders at the 36th Annual NATO & Partner International Military Chiefs of Chaplains Conference (IMCCC) in Brussels, Belgium, January 27-31, 2025.

Army lawyers provide training on rules for armed conflict at exercise Justified Accord

US, Kenya prepare for the unimaginable CBRN threat

36th Annual International Military Chiefs of Chaplains Conference and First Chaplain Africa Forum held in Brussels

Army lawyers provide training on rules for armed conflict at exercise Justified Accord

US, Kenya prepare for the unimaginable CBRN threat

36th Annual International Military Chiefs of Chaplains Conference and First Chaplain Africa Forum held in Brussels