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Tunisia 083024

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Photo by: U.S. Africa Command Public Affairs 

STUTTGART, Germany - U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Michael Langley, commander, U.S. Africa Command, USAID Senior Development Advisor (SDA) Ms. Maura Barry Boyle, and U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant Major Michael Woods, Command Senior Enlisted Leader traveled to Tunisia, to further cooperation between the United States and Tunisia, August 28, 2024.

During his visit, Langley, along with U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Tunisia Joey R. Hood, met with Tunisian Minister of National Defense Khaled Shili in Tunis. Langley additionally met with his counterparts in the Tunisian military. 

 "The United States deeply values its strategic partnership with Tunisia," Hood said.  "In our meetings, General Langley and I underscored the U.S. government’s support for Tunisia’s growing role as a regional exporter of security throughout the African continent and discussed even more ways to expand the breadth and depth of this over two-centuries-old relationship."

The U.S. military delegation flew by Tunisian helicopter to various military bases around the country to see firsthand the U.S. contribution in security cooperation to the Tunisian military. The delegation observed live fire exercises, paratrooper demonstrations, training facilities, and other Tunisian military activities supported by the U.S. government.

"U.S. Africa Command appreciates our strong military partnership with Tunisia, a major non-NATO ally, and looks forward to continuing this valued relationship in the future," said Langley. "We share a common commitment to promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in the region, and we look forward to continuing to work together to achieve these goals.”

Langley also participated in a groundbreaking ceremony at a Tunisian Naval base that will increase Tunisia’s maritime and naval capabilities. 

The U.S. and Tunisia have enjoyed strong diplomatic relations for over 200 years. The Treaty of Peace and Friendship, which the United States and Tunisia first signed in 1797, enshrines this special bond. Tunisia was among the first nations to recognize the newly independent United States.

"Tunisia participates in multi-national military exercises, airlift missions, and shares the command’s commitment to degrading regional violent extremist organization influence," said Langley.

This year also marks 20 years of partnership between the state of Wyoming and Tunisia, facilitated through the National Guard Bureau's State Partnership Program (SPP). The Wyoming National Guard has actively engaged with Tunisia through joint training exercises, disaster response planning, and military exchanges. Recently, they have focused on enhancing Tunisia's capabilities in areas such as cyber defense, emergency management, and border security, further strengthening the bilateral relationship and contributing to regional stability.

Since 2011, the U.S. has invested over $1 billion in security cooperation with Tunisia, including more than $160 million in 2023. This support has enabled Tunisia to participate in UN Peacekeeping Operations, engage in humanitarian missions, and become a regional security hub. The U.S. recently reaffirmed this strategic partnership by delivering a sixth C-130 military transport aircraft, used for various humanitarian efforts. Additionally, U.S. counterterrorism programs have bolstered Tunisia's security forces, reducing terrorist threats and enhancing border surveillance. The United States has also contributed to significant infrastructure projects in Tunisia, including airports, dams, and water systems.

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, security cooperation, and conducts crisis response on the African continent in order to advance U.S. interests and promote regional security, stability, and prosperity. 

The visit highlights U.S. Africa Command's 3D approach, which leverages diplomacy, development, and defense collaboration.