MDF lauds US-Africa military cooperation
Malawi Defence Force (MDF) land forces commander Major General Chikunkha Soko yesterday hailed the US-Africa military cooperation for improving national defence forces’ capacity to respond to military threats on the continent.
He said this at a virtual press conference hosted by the US State Department Africa office to brief journalists on the recently concluded 2022 Land Forces Summit.
Soko said the training offered at the summit helps soldiers in Africa, Malawi included, sharpen their skills.
He said: “Malawi Defence Force has been a partner ever since. We have trained with US officers when training for United Nations missions. The US is our validator. Our soldiers can perform any tasks assigned to them from the training they get with American soldiers.”
Soko also said Malawian soldiers are better equipped to deal with regional threats created by militant activities in the southern African region.
He cited undocumented immigrants who wanted to take advantage of the Islamist insurgency in Mozambique to set up criminal enterprises in Malawi.
Soko said: “We cannot stop refugees from coming to Malawi. But Malawi will have to look out for those who come with sinister motives. For example, if they come to mobilise for illegal activities, such as human and drug trafficking then the army will be ready to act. But we cannot stop refugees from coming in because it would infringe on human rights.”
Speaking at the event, US Army deputy commanding general for Africa Major General Andrew Rohling said the summits help Washington coordinate defence efforts with national armies when facing security threats.
He said the summit helps US military leaders to communicate directly with the commanders of African land forces and facilitate dialogue as well as the development of solutions that strengthen transnational security.
The African Land Forces Summit 2022 is a week-long event that hosts land forces commanders or designated representatives from more than forty African countries for training and partnership building with US army leaders.
This year’s summit was held under the theme Resilient Leaders Build Resilient Institutions.
