US, IVORIAN ARMIES HOST AFRICAN LAND FORCES SUMMIT IN ABIDJAN

Senior military leaders from African nations, as well as the U.S. and some European nations, meet to build relationships, exchange information on current topics of mutual interest and encourage cooperation in addressing challenges, May 8-12 in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire during the African Land Forces Summit. The theme for this year’s summit is “Addressing security challenges through civil-military partnerships.”



By Neil Ruggiero U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa Abidjan, Côte D'Ivoire May 09, 2023
View Gallery
fallback
Gallery contains 2 images

ABIDJAN, CÔTE D’IVOIRE -- U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) along with the Côte d’Ivoire Armed Forces held the opening ceremony for the African Land Forces Summit 2023 in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire at the Sofitel Hotel in Abidjan today.

African Land Forces Summit runs May 8-12, 2023. On behalf of the U.S. Army Chief of Staff, the summit brings together over 40 land force chiefs from across Africa, other partner nations, academic thought leaders, and government officials for candid dialogue to discuss and develop cooperative solutions to shared challenges.

"Every country represented by the chiefs here today on the continent are different, have their own objectives, their own priorities, their own identity," said Gen. Darryl Williams, commander of U.S. Army Europe and Africa, during his opening comments. "But I know that, together, we can learn from each other's experiences, and identify ways to succeed."

Participants will also observe a demonstration by the Ivorian Armed Forces at the International Academy for the Fight Against Terrorism (AILCT) on May 9. The AILCT provides world-class training to forces from across the region on combatting violent extremism in a manner that respects human rights and builds the trust and confidence of populations threatened by terrorism.

In addition to plenary sessions and small-group discussions, various cultural events are planned for the visiting participants, including showcasing local Ivorian culture and hospitality.

This year's ALFS also features parallel sessions focused on fostering discussion and development amongst senior enlisted leaders from the U.S. and African nations.

"I know how much I have relied on good [noncommissioned officers] throughout my career," said Williams. "Empowered enlisted leadership is critical to confronting the era's defining global peace, security, and governance challenges."

ALFS 23 builds upon the success of previous summits and continues to bolster U.S. and African security by fostering communication, cooperation, and planning amongst partner nations. The summit exemplifies the U.S. Army’s approach in Africa: partner-led, U.S.-enabled.

SETAF-AF provides U.S. Africa Command and U.S. Army Europe & Africa a dedicated headquarters to synchronize Army activities in Africa and scalable crisis-response options in Africa and Europe.

For more information on African Land Forces Summit, please visit https://www.dvidshub.net/feature/ALFS

More in Partnerships
Military Leaders Convene in Naples for AFRICOM Strategic Alignment Conference
U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) Component Commanders and Senior Enlisted Leaders convened in Naples, Italy for a pivotal conference, hosted by U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa (NAVEUR-NAVAF), November 14-15, 2023.
Read more
Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa celebrates Partner Appreciation Day
The Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) and partners from Djibouti alongside seven other allied nations celebrated Partner Appreciation Day Nov. 8, 2023, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti.
Read more
2023 West Africa Logistics Conference: Gathering Senior Logisticians to Address Regional Security Challenges
The 2023 West Africa Logistics Conference in Abidjan, hosted by U.S. Africa Command and Côte d’Ivoire, united regional leaders to tackle logistics hurdles in combating crises, including terrorism. Representatives from 12 nations and regional organizations discussed enhancing interoperability and military readiness. The conference recognized current challenges like equipment compatibility and addressed solutions like joint exercises and boosting local production. Commitments were made to strengthen ongoing collaboration for improved regional logistics and security.
Read more
More in Partnerships
Military Leaders Convene in Naples for AFRICOM Strategic Alignment Conference
U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) Component Commanders and Senior Enlisted Leaders convened in Naples, Italy for a pivotal conference, hosted by U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa (NAVEUR-NAVAF), November 14-15, 2023.
Read more
Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa celebrates Partner Appreciation Day
The Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) and partners from Djibouti alongside seven other allied nations celebrated Partner Appreciation Day Nov. 8, 2023, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti.
Read more
2023 West Africa Logistics Conference: Gathering Senior Logisticians to Address Regional Security Challenges
The 2023 West Africa Logistics Conference in Abidjan, hosted by U.S. Africa Command and Côte d’Ivoire, united regional leaders to tackle logistics hurdles in combating crises, including terrorism. Representatives from 12 nations and regional organizations discussed enhancing interoperability and military readiness. The conference recognized current challenges like equipment compatibility and addressed solutions like joint exercises and boosting local production. Commitments were made to strengthen ongoing collaboration for improved regional logistics and security.
Read more
More in Partnerships
Military Leaders Convene in Naples for AFRICOM Strategic Alignment Conference
U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) Component Commanders and Senior Enlisted Leaders convened in Naples, Italy for a pivotal conference, hosted by U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa (NAVEUR-NAVAF), November 14-15, 2023.
Read more
Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa celebrates Partner Appreciation Day
The Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) and partners from Djibouti alongside seven other allied nations celebrated Partner Appreciation Day Nov. 8, 2023, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti.
Read more
2023 West Africa Logistics Conference: Gathering Senior Logisticians to Address Regional Security Challenges
The 2023 West Africa Logistics Conference in Abidjan, hosted by U.S. Africa Command and Côte d’Ivoire, united regional leaders to tackle logistics hurdles in combating crises, including terrorism. Representatives from 12 nations and regional organizations discussed enhancing interoperability and military readiness. The conference recognized current challenges like equipment compatibility and addressed solutions like joint exercises and boosting local production. Commitments were made to strengthen ongoing collaboration for improved regional logistics and security.
Read more