U.S. and Cabo Verde sign a memorandum of understanding on defense cooperation

Leaders cited the growing U.S.-Cabo Verdean defense relationship, emphasizing maritime security cooperation and Cabo Verde's recent inclusion in the State Partnership Program



By U.S. Department of Defense U.S. Department of Defense Washington, D.C. Dec 15, 2022
View Gallery
U.S. and Cabo Verde sign a memorandum of understanding on defense cooperation
Gallery contains 1 image

On Dec. 15, 2022, U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs Dr. Celeste Wallander met with the Minister of Defence of Cabo Verde Janine Tatiana Santos Lélis to sign a Memorandum of Understanding on Defense Cooperation between the U.S. and Cabo Verde.

During the U.S.-Cabo Verde Bilateral Defense Engagement, held on the margins of the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit, the leaders discussed the growing U.S.-Cabo Verdean defense relationship, emphasizing maritime security cooperation and Cabo Verde's recent inclusion in the State Partnership Program with the New Hampshire National Guard. 

During her conversation with Minister Lélis, Wallander remained encouraged by Cabo Verde's commitment to countering illicit maritime activities, strengthening the security partnership, and creating resilient and strong democratic institutions.

More in Partnerships
Justified Accord 2026 begins in Kenya, Tanzania, Djibouti
Justified Accord 2026 begins in Kenya, Tanzania, Djibouti
Exercise Justified Accord 2026 (JA26), U.S. Africa Command’s largest annual, multinational exercise in East Africa, officially begins today across Djibouti, Kenya and Tanzania. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), JA26 integrates approximately 1,500 personnel from Djibouti, Kenya, Tanzania, the United States and several other nations to build readiness, deepen partnerships and strengthen regional security.
Read more
Cutlass Express 2026: Innovation to Drive the Fight Against Trafficking And Illegal Fishing
Cutlass Express 2026: Innovation to Drive the Fight Against Trafficking And Illegal Fishing
Cutlass Express 2026 (CE26) arrives at a decisive moment for maritime security in the Western Indian Ocean, where drug trafficking, human smuggling, and illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing continue to threaten coastal economies and regional stability.
Read more
U.S. - Kenya relations continue in countering terrorism as AFRICOM Deputy Commander Visits KDF
U.S. - Kenya relations continue in countering terrorism as AFRICOM Deputy Commander Visits KDF
Covering more than 1,400 km in roughly 30 hours, U.S. Army Lt. Gen. John Brennan, deputy commander, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), continued discussions on how AFRICOM and its partners can strategically counter terrorism in East Africa through various meetings and engagements with senior military leaders from the Kenyan Defence Forces in Nairobi and Manda Bay, Kenya, Feb. 5-6, 2026.
Read more
More in Partnerships
Justified Accord 2026 begins in Kenya, Tanzania, Djibouti
Justified Accord 2026 begins in Kenya, Tanzania, Djibouti
Exercise Justified Accord 2026 (JA26), U.S. Africa Command’s largest annual, multinational exercise in East Africa, officially begins today across Djibouti, Kenya and Tanzania. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), JA26 integrates approximately 1,500 personnel from Djibouti, Kenya, Tanzania, the United States and several other nations to build readiness, deepen partnerships and strengthen regional security.
Read more
Cutlass Express 2026: Innovation to Drive the Fight Against Trafficking And Illegal Fishing
Cutlass Express 2026: Innovation to Drive the Fight Against Trafficking And Illegal Fishing
Cutlass Express 2026 (CE26) arrives at a decisive moment for maritime security in the Western Indian Ocean, where drug trafficking, human smuggling, and illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing continue to threaten coastal economies and regional stability.
Read more
U.S. - Kenya relations continue in countering terrorism as AFRICOM Deputy Commander Visits KDF
U.S. - Kenya relations continue in countering terrorism as AFRICOM Deputy Commander Visits KDF
Covering more than 1,400 km in roughly 30 hours, U.S. Army Lt. Gen. John Brennan, deputy commander, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), continued discussions on how AFRICOM and its partners can strategically counter terrorism in East Africa through various meetings and engagements with senior military leaders from the Kenyan Defence Forces in Nairobi and Manda Bay, Kenya, Feb. 5-6, 2026.
Read more
More in Partnerships
Justified Accord 2026 begins in Kenya, Tanzania, Djibouti
Justified Accord 2026 begins in Kenya, Tanzania, Djibouti
Exercise Justified Accord 2026 (JA26), U.S. Africa Command’s largest annual, multinational exercise in East Africa, officially begins today across Djibouti, Kenya and Tanzania. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), JA26 integrates approximately 1,500 personnel from Djibouti, Kenya, Tanzania, the United States and several other nations to build readiness, deepen partnerships and strengthen regional security.
Read more
Cutlass Express 2026: Innovation to Drive the Fight Against Trafficking And Illegal Fishing
Cutlass Express 2026 (CE26) arrives at a decisive moment for maritime security in the Western Indian Ocean, where drug trafficking, human smuggling, and illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing continue to threaten coastal economies and regional stability.
Read more
U.S. - Kenya relations continue in countering terrorism as AFRICOM Deputy Commander Visits KDF
Covering more than 1,400 km in roughly 30 hours, U.S. Army Lt. Gen. John Brennan, deputy commander, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), continued discussions on how AFRICOM and its partners can strategically counter terrorism in East Africa through various meetings and engagements with senior military leaders from the Kenyan Defence Forces in Nairobi and Manda Bay, Kenya, Feb. 5-6, 2026.
Read more