Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III shakes hands with President of Angola João Lourenço during a bilateral exchange at the Angola presidential palace in Luanda, Angola, Sept. 27, 2023. Austin met with Lourenço to advance the growing U.S.-Angola bilateral defense relationship and address regional security issues.
By Gary Raynaldo – DIPLOMATIC TIMES
The first Black American U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin declared Wednesday that “Africa matters” and pledged aid to African partners. Austin made the comments during his first trip as Pentagon boss to Africa where he is winding down a five-day visit traveling to Djibouti, Kenya, and Angola. Austin vowed that the U.S. military will continue to work with African allies and partners to ensure “that Africa enjoys all the protections of the international rules and norms that advance security and prosperity.” Oil-rich Angola is last African nation he visited where he delivered a speech in the nation’s capital city Luanda.
“I am here because Africa matters. It matters profoundly to the shape of the 21st-century world. And it matters for our common prosperity and our shared security. The Biden administration believes that the future is being written today in Africa,” the secretary said. And we want to move forward together, through growing partnerships rooted in mutual cooperation and mutual respect. “
-U.S. Defense Secretary Austin Luanda, Angola
Austin acknowledged there are challenges in security, counterterrorism and other 21st century dangers in Africa amid pandemics, food insecurity, the climate crisis, terrorism, plundering of resources and the return of autocracy. The Pentagon chief said still there is hope, and that U.S. Africa Command – the combatant command charged with working with partners on the continent – is positioned to provide aid. He said Africom is working with partners to apply African solutions to local, national and regional problems. “These threats include violent extremism, piracy, cyber vulnerabilities and climate disasters — all too often made worse by weak governance, predatory institutions and persistent poverty,” the secretary said. “We’re determined to work with our valued African partners to develop the capabilities that they need to keep their people safe.” Terror groups are a formidable challenge and groups like al-Shabab in Somalia and the various Islamic State affiliates target civilians and wreak havoc on communities across the continent, Austin noted.
In an earlier press conference with journalists in Djibouti, Austin shed some light on the U.S. counter-terror mission in Africa amid recent coups in Niger and Gabon and the presence of Wagner mercenary group: “Our approach has been to employ elements of defense, development, and diplomacy throughout, because we believe that you have to really go after the underlying causes of instability, as you press against violent extremist organizations. And the more effective we are in doing that, then the less space that these organizations have to operate.”
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III participates in a bilateral exchange with Minister of State and Head of the Military House of the President Francisco Pereira Furtado at the Angola Ministry of National Defense in Luanda, Angola, Sept. 27, 2023.
“Many of our partnerships — including with Angola — focus on our expanding cooperation on maritime security,” Austin said. “African coastal nations must be able to tackle threats at sea, from trafficking and piracy to illegal and unregulated fishing. We’re working with our partners to block illicit activity, to deepen interoperability at sea, to protect local fisheries and to keep the commercial shipping lanes free for everyone.” Austin said the U.S. wants to work toward long-term stability and freedom. “We want our work together to produce lasting security, and not a brittle status quo,” he said. “And we can all see the damage when leaders turn predatory, or institutions grab resources for themselves.” The Pentagon boss said Africa needs militaries that serve their citizens — “and not the other way around.” He said this is key to America’s engagement with African partners. “We will continue to invest in professional, civilian-led militaries.”
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III participates in a wreath laying ceremony at the Monument of the Unknown Soldier in Luanda, Angola, Sept. 27, 2023. Austin met with Djiboutian officials to discuss ongoing military cooperation, regional security challenges, and opportunities for further collaboration. (DoD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Alexander Kubitza)
Austin said Democracy is Personal for Him
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III speaks at the Angola National Archives in Luanda, Angola, Sept. 27, 2023. Austin’s visit to Angola is the first visit to the country by a U.S. defense secretary. (DoD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Alexander Kubitza)
“I am a child of America’s segregated South. I grew up in a time of legalized racist segregation in America. And I stand here in Africa as America’s first Black secretary of defense. I believe with all my soul in the progress that we can make together. I’ve seen institutions move from discrimination to democracy. I’ve seen leaders learn powerful lessons from the tragic past. And I’ve seen democracy become a mighty engine for its own renewal. My story is not your story. And my country’s journey is not your country’s journey. But I believe to my core that our dreams are shared, and our futures are linked.” – U.S. Defense Secretary Austin
