U.S. Army Gen. Stephen Townsend, commander, U.S. Africa Command, wrapped up a three-day West African visit Feb. 22-25 with a stop in Nigeria to meet with the nation’s leaders and further the long-standing partnership and security cooperation between the two nations.
By Gary Raynaldo DIPLOMATIC TIMES
U.S. Army Gen. Stephen Townsend, commander, U.S. Africa Command, wrapped up a three-day West African visit Feb. 22-25 with a stop in Nigeria yesterday to meet with the nation’s leaders and further the long-standing partnership and security cooperation between the two nations. During the visit, Townsend met with the Nigerian President’s Chief of Staff, Ibrahim Gambari, and National Security Adviser, Babagan Monguno, to discuss regional security issues and to express the command’s gratitude for the assistance provided during a hostage rescue operation last year.
“When we asked for their help, the Nigerian government answered the call. Our hostage recovery mission in October would have been impossible without their support. They quickly provided assistance that helped the U.S. military to save an American life. That is a strong example of our partnership with Nigeria.”
-Gen. Stephen Townsend, commander, U.S. Africa Command
Townsend also met with senior military officials, including Minister of Defence Bashir Salihi Magash and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Leo Irabor, to talk about on-going cooperation in the region and greater maritime security and threat mitigation. He said Nigeria is a key partner in countering violent extremist organizations throughout the Lake Chad Basin.
U.S. Army Commander visit to Ghana highlights U.S. support for joint security cooperation: AFRICOM
U.S. Army General Stephen Townsend visited Ghana Feb. 23, 2021 meeting Ghanaian leaders in Accra. (africom.mil)
U.S. Army General Townsend also conducted a two-day visit to Ghana, Feb. 23-24. This was Townsend’s first visit to the country, where he met with Ghanaian leaders and U.S. Embassy personnel in Accra.
“Ghana is an African security leader and a key partner of U.S. Africa Command. Ghana’s peacekeeping contributions, protection of vital sea lanes in the Gulf of Guinea, and leadership help prevent the advancement of violent extremism. I look forward to exploring ways we can continue to deepen our partnership.” –U.S. Army General Townsend
Townsend met with several Ghanaian leaders, including President Nana Akufo-Addo; Chief of Defense Staff, including both current and immediate past Chiefs of Defense Staff Rear Admiral Seth Amoama and Lieutenant General Obed Akwa, respectively; Minister of Defense, the Honorable Dominic Nitiwul; and other senior members of the Ghana Armed Forces.
U.S. Army General Stephen Townsend visited Ghana Feb. 23, 2021 meeting Ghanaian leaders in Accra. (africom.mil)
As violence in the Sahel and piracy in the Gulf of Guinea both steadily increase, Ghana’s strategic location makes it a critical anchor for multiple efforts, including activities to improve maritime security and counter transnational crime, AFRICOM said.
While in Accra, Townsend also met with members of the U.S. Embassy, including Ambassador Stephanie S. Sullivan.
“We were pleased to welcome General Townsend, whose visit reaffirmed the broad and longstanding partnership between the United States and Ghana,” Sullivan said. “The visit underscored our shared values and the United States’ interest in working together to pursue mutually beneficial security solutions.”
