US to enhance Malawi Defence Force capacity
The United States (US) Government has announced plans to increase capacity of the Malawi Defence Force (MDF) through an establishment of a Sergeant Major Academy and joint military exercises.
US Ambassador retired Colonel Jeanie Jackson disclosed this on Friday on the sidelines of the end of the US State Department’s African Contingency Operations Training and Assistance (Acota) training of the fourth battalion to be deployed in Ivory Coast next week.
“Based on the visit of the Commander of the United States Africa Command, General Ham, a number of additional opportunities to further professionalise the MDF are being jointly planned. The establishment of a Sergeant Major Academy will help in growing and developing the talent within the ranks of noncommissioned officers,” said Jackson.
She said the US will provide capacity building through training and exercises by partnering MDF as well as several other Malawi institutions such as the police, Immigration and intelligence services.
Jackson said MDF has earned praise of both the United Nations (UN) and the international community because of its professionalism.
MDF Commander General Henry Odillo thanked the US government for sponsoring the Acota training.
“Our success in Ivory Coast is to a greater extent accredited to the pre-deployment training offered by Acota instructors. The training has proved to be relevant both to the commanders at different levels,” said Odillo.
