U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin (US DOD)

By  Gary   Raynaldo   –  DIPLOMATIC  TIMES

U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin will be traveling to the continent of Africa from September 23-28 visiting Djibouti, Kenya, and Angola, the Pentagon announced. Djibouti, a small east African nation not as well known as Kenya or Angola, is home to the United States’ only permanent military base on the continent, Camp Lemonnier.  It is the primary base of operations for U.S. Africa Command in the Horn of Africa. The Horn is a hub for U.S. counterterrorism effort.  U.S. special forces use the military base to conduct counter-terror operations against al-Shabab in neighboring  Somalia. More than 5,000 service members are deployed at the base,  in addition to Department of Defense civilians and contractors.  The base is also situated along the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, one of the world’s busiest shipping routes that is the gateway from the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean. A former French colony, Djibouti also hosts a sizable French military presence.  While in Djibouti, Defense Secretary Austin will meet with senior officials to discuss ongoing military cooperation, regional security challenges, and opportunities for further collaboration, the Pentagon said in a statement. In Nairobi, Secretary Austin is set to engage with Kenyan defense officials on “shared security interests” and counter-terrorism efforts.  His visit to Luanda will focus on building stronger defense relations and exploring avenues for increased military-to-military cooperation between the U.S. and Angola.

“This visit underscores the U.S. Department of Defense’s commitment to strengthening partnerships and enhancing regional security on the African continent.”

-Pentagon

During his trip, Secretary Austin will also visit with U.S. military personnel deployed to Djibouti and Kenya, “reiterating the Department’s appreciation and gratitude for their service and dedication to promoting peace and security in the region.”