AFRICOM seeks deeper Mozambique and Madagascar ties to secure Indian Ocean routes
AFRICOM deputy commander John Brennan said Washington wants to expand military training, maritime surveillance and security cooperation with Mozambique and Madagascar. He linked the effort to piracy and militant threats in the Mozambique Channel and to protecting Mozambique’s liquefied natural gas projects, including investments by TotalEnergies and ExxonMobil.
Bottom line — Brennan said Mozambique could host regional exercises and join a seven-country maritime information-sharing network.
Go deeper 6
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Brennan told the US State Department’s Africa Regional Media Hub that ISIS-Mozambique’s maritime capacity was growing, citing recent piracy incidents.
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AFRICOM said Cutlass Express brings together more than 30 countries; Brennan also named Epic Guardian and Joint Combined Exchange Training as cooperation opportunities.
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Brennan said earlier training plans had stalled over visa procedures and the logistics of bringing personnel and equipment into Mozambique.
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According to AFRICOM, its delegation met Mozambique’s defence minister and President Daniel Chapo during talks in Maputo on 5 November.
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DVIDS said the delegation visited Madagascar’s Regional Maritime Information Fusion Center, which Brennan described as involving seven participating countries.
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AFRICOM said the Madagascar discussions covered maritime surveillance, trafficking and piracy, as well as regional training.