His Excellency Dr. William Samoei Ruto, C.G.H., President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces delivers remarks during the opening ceremony of the 2025 African Chiefs of Defense conference, May 28, 2025. The 2025 African Chiefs of Defense Conference (ACHOD25) brings together Chiefs of Defense from 37 African countries, U.S. Naval Forces Africa, Special Operations Command Africa, U.S Air Forces Africa, and U.S. Army Africa in Nairobi, Kenya. ACHOD25 provides an opportunity for senior military officials from across Africa to discuss topics such as countering transnational threats, strengthening U.S. and African partnerships, as well as fostering expertise-sharing and alliances. ACHOD25 advances regional stability and collective defense, supporting U.S. national security by promoting cost-effective, African-led solutions that minimize direct U.S. military involvement while enhancing global stability. (Courtesy upload for Elly Okware)

His Excellency Dr. William Samoei Ruto, C.G.H., President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces (front-center), Chargé d’Affaires Marc Dillard, U.S. Embassy Nairobi, U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Michael E. Langley, commander U.S. Africa Command, U.S. Air Force Gen. Steven Nordhaus, Chief of the National Guard Bureau, and various African Chiefs of Defense and representatives from 38 countries pose for the official group photo of the 2025 African Chiefs of Defense conference, May 28, 2025. The 2025 African Chiefs of Defense Conference (ACHOD25) brings together Chiefs of Defense from 37 African countries, U.S. Naval Forces Africa, Special Operations Command Africa, U.S. Air Forces Africa, and U.S. Army Africa in Nairobi, Kenya. ACHOD25 provides an opportunity for senior military officials from across Africa to discuss topics such as countering transnational threats, strengthening U.S. and African partnerships, as well as fostering expertise-sharing and alliances. ACHOD25 advances regional stability and collective defense, supporting U.S. national security by promoting cost-effective, African-led solutions that minimize direct U.S. military involvement while enhancing global stability. (U.S. Africa Command photo by Jason Johnston, AFRICOM Public Affairs)

His Excellency Dr. William Samoei Ruto, C.G.H., President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces (left) greets U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Michael E. Langley, commander U.S. Africa Command and U.S. Air Force Gen. Steven Nordhaus, Chief of the National Guard Bureau, during the opening ceremony for the 2025 African Chiefs of Defense conference, May 28, 2025. The 2025 African Chiefs of Defense Conference (ACHOD25) brings together Chiefs of Defense from 37 African countries, U.S. Naval Forces Africa, Special Operations Command Africa, U.S Air Forces Africa, and U.S. Army Africa in Nairobi, Kenya. ACHOD25 provides an opportunity for senior military officials from across Africa to discuss topics such as countering transnational threats, strengthening U.S. and African partnerships, as well as fostering expertise-sharing and alliances. ACHOD25 advances regional stability and collective defense, supporting U.S. national security by promoting cost-effective, African-led solutions that minimize direct U.S. military involvement while enhancing global stability. (Courtesy upload for Elly Okware)

250514-N-RO855-1030 PRAIA, Cabo Verde (May 14, 2025) – U.S. Africa Command Ambassador Robert Scott, gathers with members from the Joint Exercise Control Group during Obangame Express 2025. Obangame Express is one of three regional maritime exercises led by U.S. Sixth Fleet as part of a comprehensive strategy to provide collaborative opportunities to African forces and international partners to address maritime security concerns. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Caleb M. Foote)

250514-N-RO855-1390 PRAIA, Cabo Verde (May 14, 2025) – U.S. Africa Command Ambassador Robert Scott, gathers with members of the Zone G Multinational Maritime Coordination Center, during Obangame Express 2025. Obangame Express is one of three regional maritime exercises led by U.S. Sixth Fleet as part of a comprehensive strategy to provide collaborative opportunities to African forces and international partners to address maritime security concerns. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Caleb M. Foote)

250514-N-RO855-1357 PRAIA, Cabo Verde (May 14, 2025) –U.S. Africa Command Ambassador Robert Scott, left, talks to Cabo Verdean Coast Guard members stationed at the Zone G Multinational Maritime Coordination Center, during Obangame Express 2025. Obangame Express is one of three regional maritime exercises led by U.S. Sixth Fleet as part of a comprehensive strategy to provide collaborative opportunities to African forces and international partners to address maritime security concerns. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Caleb M. Foote)

250516-N-RC734-1102 PRAIA, Cabo Verde (May 16, 2025) – U.S. Africa Command Ambassador Robert Scott, delivers remarks at the closing ceremony for Obangame Express 2025. Obangame Express is one of three regional maritime exercises led by U.S. Sixth Fleet as part of a comprehensive strategy to provide collaborative opportunities to African forces and international partners to address maritime security concerns. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Joseph M. Buliavac)

250516-N-RC734-1161 PRAIA, Cabo Verde (May 16, 2025) – Distinguished visitors and exercise participants gather for a group photo at the closing ceremony of Obangame Express 2025. Obangame Express is one of three regional maritime exercises led by U.S. Sixth Fleet as part of a comprehensive strategy to provide collaborative opportunities to African forces and international partners to address maritime security concerns. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Joseph M. Buliavac)

250516-N-RC734-1155 PRAIA, Cabo Verde (May 16, 2025) – Distinguished visitors and exercise participants attend the closing ceremony of Obangame Express 2025. Obangame Express is one of three regional maritime exercises led by U.S. Sixth Fleet as part of a comprehensive strategy to provide collaborative opportunities to African forces and international partners to address maritime security concerns. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Joseph M. Buliavac)

250514-N-RO855-1352 PRAIA, Cabo Verde (May 14, 2025) – U.S. Africa Command Ambassador Robert Scott, left, talks to Zone G Multinational Maritime Coordination Center Deputy Director, Major Sandro Baptista, during Obangame Express 2025. Obangame Express is one of three regional maritime exercises led by U.S. Sixth Fleet as part of a comprehensive strategy to provide collaborative opportunities to African forces and international partners to address maritime security concerns. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Caleb M. Foote)

The AFRICOM chaplain delegation, led by U.S. Army Chaplain Colonel Karen Meeker, concluded a series of meetings with key religious leaders in Cairo, Egypt, including His Holiness Theodoros II, Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa, to foster peace and stability across the continent, March 17, 2025. Hosted at St. Nicolas Church, the delegation discussed shared values of resilience and service with diverse faith leaders, recognizing their critical role in supporting vulnerable communities through schools, hospitals, and orphanages in conflict zones. This engagement laid the groundwork for Strategic Religious Leader Engagement (SRLE), including a collaboration with an Egyptian university to train chaplains and religious leaders in conflict resolution and peacebuilding, positioning Egypt as a regional hub for interfaith training. By leveraging the Patriarch’s extensive influence and AFRICOM’s expertise in ethical guidance, this partnership underscores the importance of addressing social, economic, and religious factors to achieve lasting security, with plans for continued collaboration to promote unity, resilience, and mutual understanding across Africa. U.S. Africa Command is one of seven U.S. Department of Defense geographic combatant commands. The command is responsible for all U.S. military operations, exercises, and security cooperation, and conducts crisis response on the African continent to advance U.S. interests and promote regional security, stability, and prosperity. (US. Navy photo by Courtesy Contributor)

L-R: Ivoirian National Security Advisor Fidele Sarassoro, U.S. Ambassador Jessica Davis Ba, Minister of Defence Téné Birahima Ouattara, AFRICOM Commander Gen. Michael Langley, Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Lassina Doumbia

Minister of Defense Téné Birahima Ouattara and AFRICOM Commander Gen. Michael Langley

Front Row L-R Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Lassina Doumbia, AFRICOM Commander Gen. Michael Langley, Minister of Defence Téné Birahima Ouattara, U.S. Ambassador Jessica Davis Ba, National Security Advisor Fidele Sarassoro. Back Row: Director General of Strategic Affairs Brig. Gen. Bakary Diarassouba, and U.S. Defense Attaché Lt. Col. Thomas Dyrenforth

U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) Chaplains actively participate in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Chaplains Conference in Lusaka, Zambia, April 9 - 12, 2025, uniting military and government Chaplains from across the region. This engagement underscores AFRICOM’s steadfast commitment to regional stability, recognizing that a secure and resilient Africa directly supports global and U.S. security interests