U.S. and Zambian military officers in front of one of the helicopters donated to Zambia by the U.S. government in Lusaka Sept. 12, 2023. (Credit: AFRICOM)
By Gary Raynaldo – DIPLOMATIC TIMES
The United States will supply southern African nation Zambia with four Bell 412EP helicopters to be used by its Air Force. Commander of U.S. Africa Command General Michael Langley made the announcement this week, saying the U.S. is providing an $80 million (1.6 billion Kwacha) grant to Zambia to furnish the helicopters with three years of service, parts, and training for the aircraft. General Langley attended the Africa Senior Enlisted Leaders Conference (ASELC) in Zambia which the U.S. and Zambia co-hosted from September 10-13. The helicopters will be used to help the Zambia military in regional security, and UN peacekeeping missions abroad. The ASELC annual conference convened senior enlisted leaders from approximately 30 African countries to discuss mutual challenges and opportunities, including crisis response, rule of law, protecting natural resources, addressing instability, and strengthening security cooperation, according to AFRICOM. Zambia is the first African nation to host the ASELC. The Bell 412 is an advanced twin-engine light utility helicopter used by both by militaries and civilian agencies.
Commander of U.S. Africa Command General Michael Langley (AFRICOM)
Speaking at a press conference in Lusaka, General Langley said:
“The helicopters will enable Zambia continue to support UN peace keeping missions throughout Africa and strengthen Zambia’s commitment to regional security.”
–Commander of U.S. Africa Command General Michael Langley
He added that the helicopters can also assist in responding to natural disasters and help alleviate effects of climate change in Zambia and neighboring African nations.
During a press conference, Zambia Air Force Major General Oscar Nyoni thanked the U.S. government for the donation, noting that the grant will enable the Zambia Air Force to better support the domestic needs of Zambia, regional security, and UN peacekeeping missions. While in Zambia, General Langley met with Zambian Minister of Defence Ambrose Lufuma to discuss strengthening the U.S.-Zambia security partnership, according to a statement by AFRICOM.
“The United States and Zambia share the goal of promoting peace and stability. We commend the Zambian military for its outstanding commitment to UN peacekeeping missions, as well as serving as a global model for integrating women into its military. The United States looks forward to partnering with Zambia to strengthen bilateral security cooperation that benefits the Zambia Defence Force, the Zambian people, and the region.”
-AFRICOM
Biden Administration to provide Zambia more than $505 million in Bilateral Assistance in 2024
In 2022, US AFRICOM established a security cooperation agreement with Zambia, opening an office at the US embassy in Lusaka. Since 2014, the US has provided more than US$8 million in assistance for training Zambian battalions before deployment to the United Nations peacekeeping mission in the Central African Republic. In March 2023, Vice President Kamala Harris visited Zambia, on the last stop of her tour of the African continent which also took her to Tanzania and Ghana. It is no secret that the U.S. wants to raise its profile in resource-rich Africa as France influence wanes and China increases investments there. During the U.S. VP’s Zambia visit, Harris announced more than $16 million for new programs, including a focus on anti-corruption and other reform efforts. The U.S. Biden White House said the Administration intends to provide more than $505 million to Zambia in fiscal year (FY) 2024 bilateral assistance.
