The United States is showing increasing interest in Angola’s maritime security, in particular the country’s economic and oil producing zones, says the visiting commander of US Naval Forces for Europe and Africa, Admiral Mark Fitzgerald.
The admiral, who was on a two-day official visit to Angola, told media in Luanda that the United States felt a strong interest in Angola’s maritime security and that he hoped avenues for closer co-operation could be established.
The US has a special concern with Angola’s exclusive economic zone and the country’s oil industry in particular ever since Angola has become one of the main suppliers of oil to the US.
Meanwhile in Boeblingen, Germany the Marine Corps Forces, Africa (MARFORAF) has been established as the Marine Corps’ newest command, which will support US Africa Command in its efforts to increase African security capacity.
The ceremony was led by Brigadier General Tracy L Garrett, commander of Marine Forces, Europe (MARFOREUR), who stated, “The primary focus of the new command will be on engagement – through theatre security co-operation activities – bringing US Marine Corps competencies to the table in support of US Africa Command.”
General William E. Ward, commander of US Africa Command, welcomed MARFORAF to the Africa Command team and provided an overview of its mission, programs, and goals.
“You already have a strong foundation as Marine Corps Forces Africa,” Ward said.
“Now it is time to build on those programs currently in place and creatively come up with programs that deliver results and help the Africans build and maintain their own security capacity, which in turn, maintains greater security for our American homeland.” –
Sources Angola Press Agency and Africom News
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