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Gen. Townsend visits Mozambique, South Africa, Botswana to advance mutual security interests

U.S. Army General Stephen Townsend, commander, U.S. Africa Command, reviews a Mozambican Armed Defense Forces formation alongside Portuguese Brig. Gen. Nuno Lemos Pires, mission force commander for the European Union Training Mission in Mozambique Nov. 18, 2021. The visit to Maputo, Mozambique, from Nov. 16-18, was part of a broader trip to regional partner countries in southern Africa to reinforce the U.S. government’s commitment to supporting peace and stability in the region.

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Photo by: Col. Jackie Breeden 

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Gen. Townsend visits Mozambique, South Africa, Botswana to advance mutual security interests

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Richard Thresher, U.S. Africa Command senior enlisted leader, speaks with Botswana Defense Force non-commissioned officers as part of a multi-country trip to the Southern Africa region from Nov. 17-23. “The Botswanan Defense Force is an excellent example of a military with a strong, professional non-commissioned officer corps,” said Thresher. “I look forward to continuing the strong relationship forged through the African Enlisted Development Strategy.”

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Photo by: U.S. Africa Command 

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Gen. Townsend visits Mozambique, South Africa, Botswana to advance mutual security interests

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Richard Thresher, U.S. Africa Command senior enlisted leader, meets with a member of the Mozambican Armed Defense Forces on Nov. 18, 2021. The visit to Maputo was part of a multi-country trip to the Southern Africa region from Nov. 17-23 to reinforce the U.S. government’s commitment to supporting peace and stability in the region.

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Photo by: Col. Jackie Breeden 

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Gen. Townsend visits Mozambique, South Africa, Botswana to advance mutual security interests

U.S. Army General Stephen Townsend, commander, U.S. Africa Command, reviews a Mozambican Armed Defense Forces formation Nov. 18, 2021. The visit to Maputo was part of a multi-country trip to the Southern Africa region from Nov. 17-23 to reinforce the U.S. government’s commitment to supporting peace and stability in the region.

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Photo by: Col. Jackie Breeden 

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Gen. Townsend visits Mozambique, South Africa, Botswana to advance mutual security interests

U.S. Army General Stephen Townsend, commander, U.S. Africa Command, poses with Mozambique Minister of Defense Cristóvão Chume (center), and U.S. Ambassador to Mozambique Dennis Hearne (right) at the Mozambican Ministry of Defense on Nov. 17, 2021. The visit to Maputo was part of a multi-country trip to the Southern Africa region from Nov. 17-23 to reinforce the U.S. government’s commitment to supporting peace and stability in the region.

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Photo by: U.S. Embassy in Mozambique 

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Gen. Townsend visits Mozambique, South Africa, Botswana to advance mutual security interests

U.S. Army General Stephen Townsend, commander, U.S. Africa Command, observes Mozambican Armed Defense Forces training as part of the European Union Training Mission in Mozambique Nov. 18, 2021. The visit to Maputo was part of a multi-country trip to the Southern Africa region from Nov. 17-23 to reinforce the U.S. government’s commitment to supporting peace and stability in the region.

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Photo by: Col. Jackie Breeden 

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Gen. Townsend visits Mozambique, South Africa, Botswana to advance mutual security interests

U.S. Army General Stephen Townsend, commander, U.S. Africa Command, arrives in South Africa on Nov. 18 as part of a multi-country trip to the Southern Africa region from Nov. 17-23. “South Africa is a key partner of U.S. Africa Command and a regional leader whose contributions to regional security advance our mutual interests for a stable, secure and prosperous Africa,” Townsend said.

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Photo by: U.S. Embassy in South Africa 

U. S. Army Gen. Stephen Townsend, commander, U. S. Africa Command, wrapped up a multi-country trip to the Southern Africa region, Nov. 17-23. During his travels, he visited civilian and military leaders in Mozambique, South Africa and Botswana.

The first stop of the trip was in Maputo, Mozambique, where Townsend and U.S. Ambassador to Mozambique Dennis Hearne met with Minister of Defense Cristóvão Chume, and Chief of General Staff Admiral Joaquim Mangrasse.   

Earlier this year, U.S. forces conducted two Joint Combined Exchange Training programs between U.S. Special Operations Forces and Mozambican Commandos and Fuzileiros. The command has also facilitated tactical combat casualty care and combat lifesaver training courses for the armed forces. 

“We have a meaningful partnership with Mozambique and our conversations sharpened our focus on our mutual security concerns,” Townsend said. “Our training and other engagements, such as the Joint Combined Exchange Training that happened this spring, demonstrate our partnership. We look forward to finding ways to strengthen our relationship with Mozambique in the future.”

Following his stop in Mozambique, Townsend traveled to Pretoria, South Africa where he met with Lt. Gen. Lindile Yam, Chief of Staff of the South African National Defence Force, and Maj. Gen. Mzikayise Tyhalisi, General Officer Commanding, South African Army Support Division. 

“South Africa is a key partner of U.S. Africa Command and a regional leader whose contributions to regional security advance our mutual interests for a stable, secure and prosperous Africa,” Townsend said. “I am excited about upcoming opportunities to deepen this partnership.” 

Townsend’s trip follows other recent, high-level U.S. military engagements including a port call by the Expeditionary Sea Base, USS Hershel “Woody” Williams (ESB 4) in Cape Town in September. 

Townsend’s final stop on the trip was to Botswana where he met with several high-level members of the government including Dr. Lemogang Kwape, Minister of International Affairs and Cooperation, Lt. Gen. Placid Segokgo, commander of the Botswana Defence Forces, and other senior military members to advance the partnership between Botswana and the U.S. and to discuss opportunities to increase multilateral training and military-to-military engagements. 

“The Botswanan Defence Force is an excellent example of a military with a strong, professional non-commissioned officer corps,” said U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Richard Thresher, senior enlisted leader, U.S. Africa Command, who accompanied Townsend on the trip. “Their emphasis on a robust educational program throughout the career of an enlisted soldier is commendable. I look forward to continuing the strong relationship forged through the African Enlisted Development Strategy.” 

Due primarily to the global pandemic, this was Townsend’s first trip to Southern Africa since taking command. 

“It’s been an honor to meet with my counterparts from Mozambique, South Africa, and Botswana” Townsend said. “Our conversations have strengthened our relationships and laid a stronger foundation for expanded military interaction in the future.”