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Townsend Visits Djibouti, Meets with troops, Embassy, Host Nation

U.S. Army Gen. Stephen Townsend visited with service members assigned to Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti Aug. 7, 2019. Townsend discussed the importance of engagements and training in East Africa and the impact U.S. service members are having on security in the region.

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Photo by: U.S. Africa Command Public Affairs 

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Townsend Visits Djibouti, Meets with troops, Embassy, Host Nation

U.S. Army Gen. Stephen Townsend, commander, U.S. Africa Command and Chief of General Staff of the Djibouti Armed Forces Lt. Gen. Zakaria Cheikh Ibrahim conduct a pass and review of Djiboutian Armed Forces Aug. 8. The U.S. and Djiboutian military leaders met to discuss mutual security issues and partnership opportunities.

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Photo by: U.S. Africa Command Public Affairs 

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Townsend Visits Djibouti, Meets with troops, Embassy, Host Nation

U.S. Army Gen. Stephen Townsend, commander of U.S. Africa Command, exchanges gifts with Djiboutian military officials during a visit to Djibouti Aug. 8, 2019. Townsend visited Djibouti as part of his first visit to Africa since taking command.

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Photo by: U.S. Africa Command Public Affairs 

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Townsend Visits Djibouti, Meets with troops, Embassy, Host Nation

Amb. Larry André, U.S. ambassador to Djibouti, shakes hands with Hassan Omar Mohammed, Djiboutian minister of defense Aug. 8, 2019. U.S. Army Gen. Stephen Townsend visited Djibouti as part of his first visit to Africa since taking command of U.S. Africa Command July 26.

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Photo by: U.S. Africa Command Public Affairs 

The new commander of the U.S. Africa Command Gen. Stephen J. Townsend visited Djibouti Aug. 6-8, 2019 to meet with Republic of Djibouti senior defense officials and to attend meetings at Camp Lemonnier. This was his first trip to the African continent since taking command on July 26, 2019.

“The U.S. and the Republic of Djibouti enjoy an enduring, strong, and cooperative partnership,” said Gen. Stephen Townsend, commander, U.S. Africa Command. “Our relationship with Djibouti is based on mutual interests, goals, and a shared concern about the security and stability of the region. We value our relationship with our Djiboutian partners and their positive role and commitment to making the region safer.”

Gen. Townsend’s three day visit provided insight into the current political and military situation in East Africa, as well as current operations and areas for further coordination. The commander thanked Djibouti for its continued long-standing support in hosting Camp Lemonnier. He highlighted the important contributions of Djibouti’s AMISOM peacekeepers in Somalia, noting that “through their efforts under challenging conditions, Djibouti has contributed significantly to security in the region.”

“We look to build enduring relationships, not short term, nor transactional ones,” said Townsend. “We lead with our values, hard work, and a desire to strengthen partnerships on the African continent. We are committed to working together and advancing our partnership with Djibouti.”

Gen. Townsend was joined in his consultations by U.S. Ambassador to Djibouti Larry E. André. “Our two countries’ security forces enjoy excellent cooperation,” remarked Ambassador André, “and this cooperation enhances our rich bilateral relationship.”