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Partnerships Key to Lasting Security and Stability

Ambassador Andrew Young, deputy to the commander for Civil-Military Engagement, is greeted upon arrival in Sudan for a series of meetings with key military and government officials the week of Jan. 25, 2021. Young and U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Heidi Berg, U.S. Africa Command director of intelligence, conducted the trip following Sudan’s historic peace agreement signed on Oct. 3, 2020, to pursue new opportunities for U.S.-Sudanese partnership.

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Photo by: Col. Christopher Karns 

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U.S. Africa Command senior leaders visit Sudan

U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Heidi Berg, U.S. Africa Command director of intelligence, meets senior Sudanese officials of Sudan during a series of meetings the week of Jan. 25, 2021. “This week is a significant moment in the resumption of a relationship between our two countries, a relationship based on trust and a mutual commitment to ensuring peace and prosperity in Eastern Africa,” said Berg.

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Photo by: Col. Christopher Karns 

The U.S. Africa Command Director of Intelligence, U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Heidi Berg, spoke with Sudanese military professionals from the Sudanese Higher Military Academy in Sudan, Jan. 27.

Berg and Ambassador Andrew Young, Deputy to the Commander for Civil-Military Engagement, traveled to Sudan for a series of meetings with key Sudanese military and government officials this week.

“This week is a significant moment in the resumption of a relationship between our two countries, a relationship based on trust and a mutual commitment to ensuring peace and prosperity in Eastern Africa,” said Berg.

Sudan’s historic peace agreement signed on Oct. 3, 2020 sets the stage for ending decades-long conflicts in Sudan and opens new opportunities for U.S.-Sudanese partnership.

"This is a new beginning and the start of a renewed relationship between the U.S. and Sudan. This is a journey we want to take together,” said Young. “We want to deepen and broaden our relationship and pursue shared objectives."

One shared objective is security and stability in East Africa. The visit to Sudan follows U.S. Army Gen. Stephen Townsend’s engagements last week in Djibouti, Kenya, and Somalia. U.S. Africa Command continues to build and strengthen East African partnerships to address mutual security issues. Sudan recognizing the value of a professional military welcomed U.S. Africa Command’s visit to Sudan.

In Sudan, Berg spoke to the Sudanese Higher Military Academy professionals about the importance of professional militaries and U.S. Africa Command’s commitment to partnership in Africa.

“Partnerships are the key to long-lasting security and stability,” said Berg. “Partnerships are also the most effective and long-lasting way to address shared challenges and keep countries safe. Events where we learn from one another will be an important foundation for our renewed relationship.”

Berg spoke about how joint training and education institutions bring militaries together and serve as an ideal opportunity to understand and learn from one another. She highlighted ways in which U.S. Africa Command works with partner forces to enhance stability and security. The admiral added how military leadership and service underpin stability, prosperity, and economic development for nations.

With an increasingly competitive geopolitical landscape and the presence of violent extremist organizations in Africa, she noted how security and threats in Africa affect the U.S. as well.

“Our prosperity and security are linked,” said Berg. “When malicious actors seek to destroy peace and stability in Africa, it is also a threat to the United States.”

Working together to solve challenges and sharing information is part of the solution.

“The U.S. Africa Command mission shows how important the African continent is to the United States,” said Berg. “Sharing information and expertise can be a strong foundation on which to build and strengthen relationships.” 

Young reinforced the importance of the engagement and the need for partnerships rooted in shared values and trust between institutions and countries.

"We want to build trust, build partnerships and get after solutions to problems together,” said Young. We want to operate from a point of goodwill and establish a close relationship."

As the Sudanese civilian led transitional government continues to develop a national strategy for countering terrorist radicalization and recruitment, Berg stressed the importance of ensuring military and government institutions are rooted in transparency, accountability, respect for human rights, and noted the key behind every respected military. 

“Military strength is measured not just by the number of troops or the number of tanks and aircraft,” said Berg. “It is best understood in terms of the strength of its members’ values and the character of its leadership.”