USAFRICOM leaders visit Côte d'Ivoire, Togo

U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Michael Langley, commander, U.S. Africa Command, and U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Michael Woods, command senior enlisted leader, traveled to Côte d’Ivoire and Togo, July 24-27, to further cooperation between the United States and the two countries. In the past year, General Langley has prioritized travel to Africa to meet with partner nations.

By U.S. Africa Command Public Affairs , United States Africa Command Stuttgart, Germany Aug 04, 2023

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STUTTGART, Germany – U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Michael Langley, commander, U.S. Africa Command, and U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Michael Woods, command senior enlisted leader, traveled to Côte d’Ivoire and Togo, July 24-27, to further cooperation between the United States and the two countries. In the past year, General Langley has prioritized travel to Africa to meet with partner nations.

The two met with host nation civilian and military leaders, U.S. State Department officials, and U.S. service members.

“Côte d’Ivoire and Togo are on the front lines of addressing complex issues like the expansion of violent extremist organizations and maritime security threats in the Gulf of Guinea,” Langley said. “Security, stability, and economic prosperity in West Africa are interests shared by the United States and our African and international partners. We are stronger when we work toward these goals together.”

“Service members from the United States and our counterparts in Coastal West Africa regularly partner in security initiatives and multinational AFRICOM exercises, like Flintlock and Obangame Express,” Woods said. “This week, we were able to highlight their professionalism and look to future security, training and professional military education cooperation.”

In Côte d’Ivoire, Langley, Woods and U.S. Ambassador to Côte d’Ivoire Jessica Davis Ba met with Vice President Tiémoko Meyliet Koné, Minister of Defense and State Téné Birahima Ouattara and Chief of Defense Staff Lt. Gen. Lassina Doumbia.

The leaders discussed Côte d’Ivoire’s role as a valued bilateral, regional and global leader in the promotion of economic prosperity. Further highlighted were the country’s efforts to counter the spread of violent extremism and Côte d’Ivoire’s leadership during regional multinational exercises.

During the second leg of the trip in Togo, the leadership team and U.S. Ambassador to Togo Elizabeth Fitzsimmons met President Gnassingbé, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces Brig. Gen. Tassounti Djato, and Minister of Security and Civil Protection Brig. Gen. Damehame Yark. They discussed Togo’s leadership in maritime security and whole-of-government efforts to bolster regional security.

Throughout their trip, Langley and Woods also met with U.S. Embassy teams and recognized U.S. service members for their accomplishments.

The United States Africa Command (USAFRICOM), alongside its African and interagency partners, is charged with the responsibility of enhancing security and stability in Africa to advance and protect U.S. national interests. For more information, visit our website, Facebook and Twitter pages, or contact U.S. Africa Command Media Relations at africom-pao-media@mail.mil.

Les dirigeants de l'USAFRICOM visitent la Côte d'Ivoire et le Togo

Le général du Corps des Marines des États-Unis Michael Langley, commandant du Commandement des États-Unis pour l'Afrique, et le Sergent-Major du Corps des Marines des États-Unis Michael Woods, chef des sous-officiers du commandement, se sont rendus en Côte d'Ivoire et au Togo, du 24 au 27 juillet, pour renforcer la coopération entre les États-Unis et les deux pays partenaires. Au cours de la dernière année, le général Langley a donné la priorité aux voyages en Afrique pour rencontrer les dirigeants des pays partenaires.

Ils ont rencontré des dirigeants civils et militaires des pays hôtes, des responsables du département d'État américain et des militaires américains.

« La Côte d'Ivoire et le Togo sont en première ligne pour résoudre des problèmes complexes tels que l'expansion des organisations extrémistes violentes et les menaces à la sécurité maritime dans le golfe de Guinée », a déclaré Langley. « La sécurité, la stabilité et la prospérité économique en Afrique de l'Ouest sont des intérêts partagés par les États-Unis et nos partenaires africains et internationaux. Nous sommes plus forts lorsque nous travaillons ensemble vers ces objectifs. »

« Les militaires américains et leurs homologues de la côte ouest africaine s'associent régulièrement aux initiatives de sécurité et aux exercices multinationaux de l'AFRICOM, comme Flintlock et Obangame Express », a déclaré Woods. « Cette semaine, nous avons pu souligner leur professionnalisme et nous tourner vers la future coopération en matière de sécurité, de formation et d'enseignement militaire professionnel. »

En Côte d'Ivoire, Langley, Woods et l'Ambassadrice des États-Unis en Côte d'Ivoire Jessica Davis Ba ont rencontré le Vice-président Tiémoko Meyliet Koné, le Ministre de la Défense et d'État Téné Birahima Ouattara et le Chef d'état-major des armées, le Général de brigade Lassina Doumbia.

Au cours de la deuxième étape du voyage au Togo, l'équipe de direction de l'AFRICOM et l'ambassadrice des États-Unis au Togo, Elizabeth Fitzsimmons, ont rencontré le Président Gnassingbé, le Chef d'état-major général des Forces Armées, le Général Tassounti Djato, et le Ministre de la Sécurité et de la protection civiles, le Général Damehame Yark. Ils ont discuté du leadership du Togo en matière de sécurité maritime et des efforts pangouvernementaux pour renforcer la sécurité régionale.

Tout au long de leur voyage, Langley et Woods ont également rencontré les équipes des ambassades américaines et ont reconnu des militaires américains pour leurs réalisations.

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USAFRICOM leaders visit Côte d'Ivoire, Togo

U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Michael Langley, commander, U.S. Africa Command stands in front of a Embassy of the United States sign

U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Michael Langley, commander, U.S. Africa Command, met with President Faure Gnassingbé of Togo.

In Côte d’Ivoire, Langley, Woods and U.S. Ambassador to Côte d’Ivoire Jessica Davis Ba met with Vice President Tiémoko Meyliet Koné, Minister of Defense and State Téné Birahima Ouattara and Chief of Defense Staff Lt. Gen. Lassina Doumbia.

U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Michael Langley, commander, U.S. Africa Command, and U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Michael Woods, command senior enlisted leader, meet with Embassy staff in Côte d’Ivoire.