U.S. defense officials have concluded a successful visit to Benin and Côte d'Ivoire, focused on reinforcing defense and security cooperation with our key partners in Coastal West Africa. The delegation, led by Acting Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Amanda Dory, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for African Affairs Maureen Farrell, and U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Kenneth Ekman, engaged in high-level discussions with senior defense leaders in both nations to enhance regional stability and address critical security challenges.

STUTTGART, Germany --- U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Michael Langley, commander, U.S. Africa Command, alongside AFRICOM’s U.S. Agency for International Development Senior Development Advisor, Maura Barry Boyle; USMC Sgt. Maj. Michael Woods, command senior enlisted leader; and senior support staff traveled to the continent of Africa’s eastern region Nov. 21-28 to meet with various military, civil, and government partners in Djibouti, Somalia, and Kenya. This visit focused on engaging strategic and interagency partners, and civil society organizations about topics geared toward addressing challenges, opportunities and threats that impact regional stability.