Friday, March 29, 2024

US Africa Command to open office in Zambia

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The United States (US) government has announced that the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) will open an Office of Security Cooperation at the U.S. Embassy in Zambia, aimed at strengthening the foundation of the U.S.- Zambia shared security interests.

The new Office of Security Cooperation will enhance military to military relations and expand areas of cooperation in force management, modernization, and professional military education for the Zambian security forces.

This announcement was made by the AFRICOM Deputy Director for Strategy, Engagement, and Programs Peter Bailey, when he met with President Hakainde Hichilema during his visit to Zambia.

Brig. Gen Bailey commended President Hichilema and his new dawn administration for its steadfast commitment to regional peace and stability and reiterated that the U.S. government looks forward to building on its strong bilateral ties with Zambia to enhance security cooperation

He also praised the Zambian Defence Force for its professionalism and contributions to United Nations peacekeeping missions.

He is later expected to meet with the Minister of Defense, Ambrose Lufuma, and represent AFRICOM at the official opening ceremony for the start of pre-deployment training for the eighth Zambia Battalion (ZAMBATT VIII).

The U.S. government has since the year 2014 invested over 136 million kwacha ($8 million) in assistance for seven iterations of pre-deployment training for Zambian Battalions deployed to the United Nations Multidimensional Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA).

This is contained in a press statement by the US embassy made available to the media in Lusaka today.

18 COMMENTS

  1. @David Kaunda
    RB, MCS, LM and ECL should also have rejected the US funding (Almost $500 million per year) to the Ministry of health.
    Dont be a hypocrite.

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  2. Hahah we told you. The sell out is now in power so he will sell this country out more. Next is gay rights.

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  3. The United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) we are looking forward to creating vibrant communities of mutual support and Strengthen Zambian democracy.

    UPND administration this is the best move you have made.

    “If you have an ally, you have someone who is on your side, like a more experienced teammate who is your ally in convincing the coach to give you more playing time. Ally comes from the Latin word alligare, meaning “to bind to,” like nations who are allies in wartime — they will act together, and protect one another.”

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  4. Previous Presidents rejected this step because Zambia now officially joins the list of Al Qaeda and all Islamic rebels target for terrorism because we will now be considered part of the USA

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  5. But kwena, olo nikukonda bazungu. Having a foreign military presence in a sovereign country is a shame and an embarrassment.
    And that one person @ #4, because they give us aid, we should bow down to all demands?
    Flawed reasoning.
    HH’s intergrity when it comes to white demands needs to be intact, IMF has a say on how we spend our money and now he is catering to military requests, at which point will he stand a giant among African leaders, fearless and bold?

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  6. Now the time has come that we should forget about the premature independances we got in Africa and let the white supremacy come back .. and remove all fake African leaders who don’t tell us the truth about rules they get from the same rejected masters …

  7. For them everything ni privatization…I think is better to advertise on our boarder Post ati Zambia for sale…

  8. Greatly disappointed indeed, to be turned into a satellite state of YS… becoming enemies with loyal friends coz of …Why not stay NEUTRAL and do business with ALL than blow a trumpet that we are now a satellite state. WHO stands to benefit from this??

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