1:06 PM8/7/2024

U.S. Army Col. Mark Whiteman, senior defense official and defense attaché with U.S. Embassy Gaborone, provides remarks during the opening ceremony of exercise Southern Accord 2024 in Gaborone, Botswana, Aug. 5, 2024. Southern Accord 2024 is a bi-annual joint exercise sponsored by U.S. Africa Command and led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF). Running from Aug. 5-15, the exercise brings together U.S. Army and Air Force personnel and Botswana Defence Force counterparts to conduct a variety of training to include humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, and peacekeeping and aeromedical evacuation. The exercise is designed to enhance bilateral military capabilities and interoperability. (U.S. Army photo by Maj. Richard Dickson)

1:06 PM8/7/2024

U.S. Army Master Sgt. Thanh Kim, theater sustainment planner with the 79th Theater Sustainment Command, sits with Botswana Defence Force partners during the opening ceremony of the exercise in Gaborone, Botswana, Aug. 5, 2024. Southern Accord 2024 is a bi-annual joint exercise sponsored by U.S. Africa Command and led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF). Running from Aug. 5-15, the exercise brings together U.S. Army and Air Force personnel and Botswana Defence Force counterparts to conduct a variety of training to include humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, as well as peacekeeping and aeromedical evacuation. The exercise is designed to enhance bilateral military capabilities and interoperability. (U.S. Army photo by Maj. Joe Legros)

1:06 PM8/7/2024

U.S. Army Col. Mark Whiteman, senior defense official and defense attaché with U.S. Embassy Gaborone, speaks with U.S. Army Lt. Col. Jason Porter, deputy chief of exercises (G7), U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), during the opening ceremony of the exercise in Gaborone, Botswana, Aug. 5, 2024. Southern Accord 2024 is a bi-annual joint exercise sponsored by U.S. Africa Command and led by SETAF-AF. Running from Aug. 5-15, the exercise brings together U.S. Army and Air Force personnel and Botswana Defence Force counterparts to conduct a variety of training to include humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, as well as peacekeeping and aeromedical evacuation. The exercise is designed to enhance bilateral military capabilities and interoperability. (U.S. Army photo by Maj. Joe Legros)

1:06 PM8/7/2024

GABORONE, Botswana — Exercise Southern Accord 2024 officially began on August 5, 2025, launching a two-week joint military exercise between U.S. and Botswana forces. The opening ceremony in Gaborone marked the start of a comprehensive training operation aimed at enhancing bilateral military cooperation and readiness. Sponsored by U.S. Africa Command and led by the U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), Southern Accord is a joint bi-annual exercise that unites U.S. Army and Air Force personnel with their Botswana Defence Force (BDF) counterparts. The exercise focuses on conducting humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations, peacekeeping missions and aeromedical evacuations, all while enhancing multinational military capabilities and interoperability.

10:35 AM7/9/2024

Maj. Gen. Kenneth Ekman, U.S. Africa Command Director for Strategy, Engagement and Programs (J5) and Colonel Major Mamane Sani Kiaou, Nigerien Chief of Army Staff, address the media during a ceremony marking the official turnover of the U.S. compound on Air Base 101 in Niamey. This Nigerien base has housed U.S. personnel and assets to help counter violent extremist organizations in the region. With the closure of the U.S. compound on Air Base 101, U.S. forces will now focus on completing the withdrawal from Air Base 201 in Agadez. (Photo by USAF Maj. Sandy Van Den Mooter)

10:35 AM7/9/2024

Maj. Gen. Kenneth Ekman, U.S. Africa Command Director for Strategy, Engagement and Programs (J5) and Colonel Major Mamane Sani Kiaou, Nigerien Chief of Army Staff, address the media during a ceremony marking the official turnover of the U.S. compound on Air Base 101 in Niamey. This Nigerien base has housed U.S. personnel and assets to help counter violent extremist organizations in the region. With the closure of the U.S. compound on Air Base 101, U.S. forces will now focus on completing the withdrawal from Air Base 201 in Agadez. (Photo by USAF Maj. Sandy Van Den Mooter)

3:53 PM7/8/2024

Botswana Defence Force soldiers attend the Botswana Defence Force, during the the C-130 transfer to Botswana, in Gaborone, Botswana, June 27, 2024. U.S. leaders from the U.S. Embassy in Gaborone and U.S. Africa Command participated in the transfer ceremony of a former U.S. military C-130H aircraft to the Botswana Defence Force, coinciding with the African Chiefs of Defense Conference's conclusion. This transfer enhances Botswana's airlift capabilities and reaffirms the strong defense partnership between the US and Botswana, highlighting the US's commitment to regional security and stability in Africa. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Mary Linniman)

10:32 AM6/25/2024

U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Michael Langley and Sgt. Maj. Richard Thresher, Commander and Senior Enlisted Advisor of U.S. Africa Command, met with U.S. military cadets during the 2023 ChOD Conference. African Chiefs of Defense and senior military leaders from 43 countries met in Rome for the annual African Chiefs of Defense Conference held from February 27 to March 2, 2023.

8:04 AM6/25/2024

U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Michael Langley, Commander of U.S. Africa Command, speaks with military leaders between panel discussions at the 2023 ChOD Conference. African Chiefs of Defense and senior military leaders from 43 countries met in Rome for the annual African Chiefs of Defense Conference held from February 27 to March 2, 2023.

12:00 AM6/23/2024

U.S. Marine Corps General Michael E. Langley, Commander, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), and the newly appointed U.S. Ambassador to Somalia, Ambassador Richard Riley, recently conducted high-level meetings with senior Somali government officials and international partners to discuss ongoing security efforts and future strategic initiatives.

8:12 AM6/13/2024

1:33 PM5/31/2024

In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted an airstrike in Somalia targeting ISIS militants, May 31, 2024.

10:39 AM5/22/2024

Ambassador Robert Scott, deputy commander for civil-military engagement at U.S. Africa Command, visited Madagascar, Mauritius and Seychelles May 11-18 to meet with partner nation government officials and discuss the countries’ regional efforts to address maritime security challenges.

2:12 AM5/6/2024

U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Michael E. Langley, Commander, U.S. Africa Command, gives his remarks during the opening ceremony of the African Maritime Forces Summit and Naval Infantry Leadership Symposium - Africa (AMFS/NILS-A) 2024 in Accra, Ghana, on April 30, 2024. AMFS/NILS-A is a multinational, Africa-focused, strategic-level forum designed to address transnational maritime security challenges in African waters, bringing together partner nations with marine forces and naval infantry to develop interoperability, crisis response capabilities, and foster relationships that will improve Africa's maritime domain security. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Addysyn Tobar)

2:12 AM5/6/2024

Distinguished guest and host of African Maritime Forces Summit and Naval Infantry Leadership Symposium - Africa (AMFS/NILS-A) salute the arrival of President of the Republic of Ghana, at the African Maritime Forces Summit and Naval Infantry Leadership Symposium - Africa (AMFS/NILS-A) 2024 in Accra, Ghana, on April 30, 2024. AMFS/NILS-A is a multinational, Africa-focused, strategic-level forum designed to address transnational maritime security challenges in African waters, bringing together partner nations with marine forces and naval . infantry to develop interoperability, crisis response capabilities, and foster relationships that will improve Africa's maritime domain security. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Addysyn Tobar)

2:12 AM5/6/2024

His Excellency Nana Akufo-Addo, the President of the Republic of Ghana, left, shakes hands with U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Michael E. Langley, Commander, U.S. Africa Command, at the African Maritime Forces Summit and Naval Infantry Leadership Symposium - Africa (AMFS/NILS-A) 2024 in Accra, Ghana, on April 30, 2024. AMFS/NILS-A is a multinational, Africa-focused, strategic-level forum designed to address transnational maritime security challenges in African waters, bringing together partner nations with marine forces and naval infantry to develop interoperability, crisis response capabilities, and foster relationships that will improve Africa's maritime domain security. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Addysyn Tobar)

2:12 AM5/6/2024

U.S. Ambassador Robert Scott, Deputy to the Commander for Civil-Military Engagement, U.S. Africa Command, and U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant Major Michael Woods, Command Senior Enlisted Leader poses for a photo with representatives from U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), Ghana Ports and Harbors Authority, and others. The event was centered around a tour and a presentation at a USAID funded project at the port in Tema, Ghana, on April 30, 2024. U.S. Africa Command along with U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa and U.S. Marine Corps Forces Europe and Africa are participating in African Maritime Forces Summit and Naval Infantry Leadership Symposium - Africa (AMFS/NILS-A). AMFS and NILS-A is a strategic-level forum designed to address transnational maritime security challenges in African waters, bringing together partner nations with marine forces and naval infantry to develop interoperability, crisis response capabilities, and foster relationships that will improve Africa's maritime domain security. (Courtesy photo)

12:00 PM4/15/2024

U.S. military members stand at attention for the Zambian National Anthem in Lusaka, Zambia as the Southern African Development Community (SADC) event kicks off, April 8, 2024. The Zambian Defence Force invited U.S. military chaplains from the U.S. Africa Command, U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), U.S. Air Forces Africa (AFAF), North Carolina and New York Army National Guards to participate in a five-day SADC event in Lusaka, Zambia. The workshop aimed to enhance spiritual readiness for military personnel and their families, sharing best practices, and deepening relations with chaplains from Zambia, Botswana, Malawi, Namibia, and Democratic Republic of the Congo, marking a milestone in international cooperation and understanding. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Ebony Neal)

12:00 PM4/15/2024

U.S. Army Chaplain Karen Meeker, command chaplain for U.S. Africa Command presents the U.S. Africa Command pin to Protestant Chaplain General of the Zambian National Service, Brigadier General Henry Matifeyo in Lusaka, Zambia, April 8, 2024. The Zambian Defence Force invited U.S. military chaplains from the U.S. Africa Command, U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), U.S. Air Forces Africa (AFAF), North Carolina and New York Army National Guards to participate in a five-day Southern African Development Community event in Lusaka, Zambia. The workshop aimed to enhance spiritual readiness for military personnel and their families, sharing best practices, and deepening relations with chaplains from Zambia, Botswana, Malawi, Namibia, and Democratic Republic of the Congo, marking a milestone in international cooperation and understanding. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Ebony Neal)

12:00 PM4/15/2024

U.S. Army Chaplain Karen Meeker, command chaplain for U.S. Africa Command salutes to the Zambian Air Force Commander, Lieutenant General Nyone in Lusaka, Zambia, April 8, 2024. The Zambian Defence Force invited U.S. military chaplains from the U.S. Africa Command, U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), U.S. Air Forces Africa (AFAF), North Carolina and New York Army National Guards to participate in a five-day Southern African Development Community event in Lusaka, Zambia. The workshop aimed to enhance spiritual readiness for military personnel and their families, sharing best practices, and deepening relations with chaplains from Zambia, Botswana, Malawi, Namibia, and Democratic Republic of the Congo, marking a milestone in international cooperation and understanding. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Ebony Neal)