• Botswana is proving to be USA’ ‘partner of choice’ in the region for its military exercise and operations
Botswana is “a steadfast partner of the United States”, the US Ambassador Van Vranken said in his opening remarks at the ongoing US Africa Command (AFRICOM) African Chiefs of Defense Conference 2024 in Gaborone.
Also attending the Conference were US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Air Force General Charles Q. Brown Jr and Commander of AFRICOM, General Michael E. Langley.
The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is the US' highest-ranking military officer and the principal military advisor to the president, the secretary of defense and the National Security Council.
Perhaps in testimony to US-Botswana military relations, Ambassador Van Vranken announced to the Conference that Botswana will soon host AFRICOM’s flagship military exercise; Southern Accord 2024.
The two-week exercise is set to commence on August 5th and end on August 16, 2024. It is set to take place in three locations including Thebephatshwa Air Base, Botswana.
The preparations for Southern Accord 2024, which will be led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), are at final stages with joint-planning conference having been concluded on June 21, 2024 in Gaborone.
The exercise is said to cover a variety of operations including humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, peacekeeping and aeromedical evacuation.
It is not the first time Botswana host US military exercise of that magnitude; having hosted Southern Accord in 2012. In 2012, the exercise involved just over battalion strength of the two militaries.
Botswana is proving to be US’ ‘partner of choice’ in the region for its military exercise and operations. In 2019, Botswana hosted AFRICOM’s Operation Upward Minute Man and African Land Forces Summit which brought together over 40 African Land Forces Chiefs.
In the subsequent years, Botswana has gone on to host several Joint Combined Exchange Trainings (JCETS) between BDF and US Special Forces.
In June 2023, Botswana hosted AFRICOM’s Security Implications of Climate Change Symposium which has since been followed by the ongoing conference which has brought together over 30 defence chiefs from the continent
and various subject-matter experts from US and NATO.
In the context of the unravelling geo-strategic environment, particularly in North Africa and the Sahel, it is not surprising that the US is under pressure to pursue other bilateral and multilateral endeavours to counter its perceived strategic adversaries and reaffirm and reassert its waning influence in the continent.
It is the first time the African Chiefs of Defense Conference is held on African soil and the attendance of General Charles Brown, demonstrates US’ desired strategic dividends from the engagement.
The US is faced with strategic ‘repulsion’ in the Sahel and some part of West Africa, as Niger and Tchad have already called for withdrawal of US troops.
The head of Niger's ruling Conseil National pour la sauvegarde de la patrie, (CNSP) or National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland, Brigadier General Abdourahamane Tiani has given the US up to September 15th, 2024 to have completed withdrawal of troops, as Russia takes the centre-stage.
There are fears that the great power play playing out in some parts of Africa may be slowly creeping into the SADC region. In February 2023, Russia, China, and South Africa conducted maritime exercise, Exercise Mosi-II which as expected, drew condemnation from the US and its allies.
Also attending the Conference were US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Air Force General Charles Q. Brown Jr and Commander of AFRICOM, General Michael E. Langley.
The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is the US' highest-ranking military officer and the principal military advisor to the president, the secretary of defense and the National Security Council.
Perhaps in testimony to US-Botswana military relations, Ambassador Van Vranken announced to the Conference that Botswana will soon host AFRICOM’s flagship military exercise; Southern Accord 2024.
The two-week exercise is set to commence on August 5th and end on August 16, 2024. It is set to take place in three locations including Thebephatshwa Air Base, Botswana.
The preparations for Southern Accord 2024, which will be led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), are at final stages with joint-planning conference having been concluded on June 21, 2024 in Gaborone.
The exercise is said to cover a variety of operations including humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, peacekeeping and aeromedical evacuation.
It is not the first time Botswana host US military exercise of that magnitude; having hosted Southern Accord in 2012. In 2012, the exercise involved just over battalion strength of the two militaries.
Botswana is proving to be US’ ‘partner of choice’ in the region for its military exercise and operations. In 2019, Botswana hosted AFRICOM’s Operation Upward Minute Man and African Land Forces Summit which brought together over 40 African Land Forces Chiefs.
In the subsequent years, Botswana has gone on to host several Joint Combined Exchange Trainings (JCETS) between BDF and US Special Forces.
In June 2023, Botswana hosted AFRICOM’s Security Implications of Climate Change Symposium which has since been followed by the ongoing conference which has brought together over 30 defence chiefs from the continent
and various subject-matter experts from US and NATO.
In the context of the unravelling geo-strategic environment, particularly in North Africa and the Sahel, it is not surprising that the US is under pressure to pursue other bilateral and multilateral endeavours to counter its perceived strategic adversaries and reaffirm and reassert its waning influence in the continent.
It is the first time the African Chiefs of Defense Conference is held on African soil and the attendance of General Charles Brown, demonstrates US’ desired strategic dividends from the engagement.
The US is faced with strategic ‘repulsion’ in the Sahel and some part of West Africa, as Niger and Tchad have already called for withdrawal of US troops.
The head of Niger's ruling Conseil National pour la sauvegarde de la patrie, (CNSP) or National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland, Brigadier General Abdourahamane Tiani has given the US up to September 15th, 2024 to have completed withdrawal of troops, as Russia takes the centre-stage.
There are fears that the great power play playing out in some parts of Africa may be slowly creeping into the SADC region. In February 2023, Russia, China, and South Africa conducted maritime exercise, Exercise Mosi-II which as expected, drew condemnation from the US and its allies.
