AFRICOM commander, Homeland Security Advisor conclude visit to Djibouti, Somalia, Kenya, Niger

U.S. Army Gen. Stephen Townsend, commander, U.S. Africa Command, Assistant to the President for Homeland Security Dr. Liz Sherwood-Randall, and Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict Chris Maier visited U.S. personnel and operational facilities in Djibouti, Somalia, Kenya, and Niger, Oct. 25-29.



By U.S. Africa Command Public Affairs United States Africa Command Stuttgart, Germany Nov 01, 2021
View Gallery
fallback
Gallery contains 6 images

Release also available in French.

U.S. Army Gen. Stephen Townsend, commander, U.S. Africa Command, Assistant to the President for Homeland Security Dr. Liz Sherwood-Randall, and Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict Chris Maier visited U.S. personnel and operational facilities in Djibouti, Somalia, Kenya, and Niger, Oct. 25-29.

The trip highlighted how U.S. Africa Command conducts its counter-terrorism and crisis response missions in a complex and evolving security environment. U.S. Africa Command and our regional and international allies focuses on diplomacy, development and defense to build partner capacity, and improve security, governance, and rule of law goals across the continent.

In East Africa, Townsend, Sherwood-Randall, and Maier met with senior U.S. state and defense department leaders. The delegation recognized service members at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti; Mogadishu, Somalia; and Manda Bay, Kenya, who are responsible for supporting local and regional partners executing the counterterrorism campaign against al-Shabaab.

In Niger, Townsend led the delegation to air bases in Agadez and Niamey to meet with American forces who work with Nigerien partners to monitor and disrupt security threats, support hostage recovery efforts, and project power in West Africa.

While in Niamey, the delegation met with Nigerien President Mohamed Bazoum and discussed ways to further counter terrorist groups in the Sahel. The party also met with U.S. Embassy officials and with French Ambassador to Niger Alexandre Garcia and Barkhane Force Commander Maj. Gen. Laurent Michon to improve U.S.-French counterterrorism cooperation in the region.

“This trip was a great opportunity to show how our troops across the continent protect the homeland and support our partners to strengthen stability in Africa,” said Townsend. “Dr. Sherwood-Randall and I also had a productive meeting with Nigerien President Bazoum, where we discussed our shared efforts to increase security in the Sahel.”

More in Partnerships
African Lion 23 Begins
18 nations and approximately 8,000 personnel will participate in African Lion 2023, U.S. Africa Command's largest annual combined, joint exercise that will take place in Ghana, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia from May 13-June 18, 2023.
Read more
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.”
Read more
Flintlock 2023 opens with ceremonies across Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire
Participants from 29 countries kicked off the command post and field training portion of Exercise Flintlock 2023 with opening ceremonies at four sites across Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire on March 7, 2023.
Read more
More in Partnerships
African Lion 23 Begins
18 nations and approximately 8,000 personnel will participate in African Lion 2023, U.S. Africa Command's largest annual combined, joint exercise that will take place in Ghana, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia from May 13-June 18, 2023.
Read more
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.”
Read more
Flintlock 2023 opens with ceremonies across Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire
Participants from 29 countries kicked off the command post and field training portion of Exercise Flintlock 2023 with opening ceremonies at four sites across Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire on March 7, 2023.
Read more
More in Partnerships
African Lion 23 Begins
18 nations and approximately 8,000 personnel will participate in African Lion 2023, U.S. Africa Command's largest annual combined, joint exercise that will take place in Ghana, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia from May 13-June 18, 2023.
Read more
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.”
Read more
Flintlock 2023 opens with ceremonies across Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire
Participants from 29 countries kicked off the command post and field training portion of Exercise Flintlock 2023 with opening ceremonies at four sites across Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire on March 7, 2023.
Read more