CJTF-HOA kick starts first-ever relationship with Intergovernmental Authority on Development

Foreign Liaison Officers and U.S. military members assigned to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa met for the first time in a formal meeting with officials from the Intergovernmental Authority on Development Jan. 16 in Djibouti.



By Tech Sgt. Shawn Nickel Jan 19, 2019
View Gallery
fallback
Gallery contains 6 images

DJIBOUTI, Djibouti -- Foreign Liaison Officers and U.S. military members assigned to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa met for the first time in a formal meeting with officials from the Intergovernmental Authority on Development Jan. 16 in Djibouti.

The purpose of the meeting was for both parties to familiarize themselves with each other’s missions and goals through a short information exchange and set the stance for future meetings. 

“We started this expression and exchange of ideas in hopes that we will be able to share information about our work,” said Dr. Simon Nyambura, director, IGAD Center of Excellence for Preventing and Countering Violence Extremism. “The future goal would be to work on projects together, both military and civilian in our respective governments.”

The vision of IGAD is to be the premier regional organization for achieving peace, prosperity and regional integration in their region. The organization stems from the Intergovernmental Authority on Drought and Development, but transitioned to IGAD in 1996.

“We need everyone in society to be part of this effort,” Nyambura said. 

The CJTF-HOA team shares similar goals with IGAD. Combined operations conducted by CJTF-HOA enable international partners to combine limited resources towards achieving shared goals, such as countering terrorism and improving security. 

Nyambura said even though it is rigorous and challenging, one of IGAD’s main goals is the development of regional strategy for preventing and countering violent extremism in Eastern Africa. He added this work would not be possible without regional and international partners.

Republic of Korea Marine Maj. Hyunchang Choi, FLO assigned to CJTF-HOA, organized the meeting on a rotating schedule to ensure continuity as new FLOs and rotations of leaders join CJTF-HOA. 

“We can learn many different parts of each country’s issues and challenges and continue improving economies, society, food programs and education,” said Choi. “The core value and reward of this continued relationship will be the critical ideas we can share.”

Along with the other attendees, Nyambura shared goals, strengths and areas of improvement throughout the meeting. 

“The most positive outcome from today was getting to know each other and each other’s work, so we can understand what each team does and things they can do,” Nyambura said. “We all share the same ideas of peaceful nations and a stable international system.”

More in Media Room
Task Force Associator Replaces Task Force Paxton as East Africa’s Newest Security Forces Unit
CAMP LEMONNIER, Djibouti – The Pennsylvania National Guard’s Task Force Associator was officially given responsibility for the security mission in East Africa from Task Force Paxton, another Pennsylvania National Guard Unit, during a transfer of authority ceremony Oct. 21, 2024.
Read more
CJTF-HOA Completes Largest Emergency Deployment Readiness Exercise with Gabonese Defense and Security Forces in Libreville, Gabon
U.S. Army soldiers from the East Africa Response Force participated in a significant Emergency Deployment Readiness Exercise (EDRE) in Libreville, Gabon. Led by CJTF-HOA, the exercise involved over 150 personnel and various aircraft, enhancing crisis response readiness and military interoperability with Gabonese forces. The event validated U.S. crisis response capabilities, strengthened regional alliances, and fostered multinational collaboration, showcasing the U.S.'s commitment to regional stability, capacity building, and addressing global security challenges.
Read more
AFRICOM Leadership Visits Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti
In a demonstration of U.S. commitment to regional stability and security, key leaders from U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) visited Camp Lemonnier to engage with U.S. troops deployed in Africa.
Read more
More in Media Room
Task Force Associator Replaces Task Force Paxton as East Africa’s Newest Security Forces Unit
CAMP LEMONNIER, Djibouti – The Pennsylvania National Guard’s Task Force Associator was officially given responsibility for the security mission in East Africa from Task Force Paxton, another Pennsylvania National Guard Unit, during a transfer of authority ceremony Oct. 21, 2024.
Read more
CJTF-HOA Completes Largest Emergency Deployment Readiness Exercise with Gabonese Defense and Security Forces in Libreville, Gabon
U.S. Army soldiers from the East Africa Response Force participated in a significant Emergency Deployment Readiness Exercise (EDRE) in Libreville, Gabon. Led by CJTF-HOA, the exercise involved over 150 personnel and various aircraft, enhancing crisis response readiness and military interoperability with Gabonese forces. The event validated U.S. crisis response capabilities, strengthened regional alliances, and fostered multinational collaboration, showcasing the U.S.'s commitment to regional stability, capacity building, and addressing global security challenges.
Read more
AFRICOM Leadership Visits Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti
In a demonstration of U.S. commitment to regional stability and security, key leaders from U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) visited Camp Lemonnier to engage with U.S. troops deployed in Africa.
Read more
More in Media Room
Task Force Associator Replaces Task Force Paxton as East Africa’s Newest Security Forces Unit
CAMP LEMONNIER, Djibouti – The Pennsylvania National Guard’s Task Force Associator was officially given responsibility for the security mission in East Africa from Task Force Paxton, another Pennsylvania National Guard Unit, during a transfer of authority ceremony Oct. 21, 2024.
Read more
CJTF-HOA Completes Largest Emergency Deployment Readiness Exercise with Gabonese Defense and Security Forces in Libreville, Gabon
U.S. Army soldiers from the East Africa Response Force participated in a significant Emergency Deployment Readiness Exercise (EDRE) in Libreville, Gabon. Led by CJTF-HOA, the exercise involved over 150 personnel and various aircraft, enhancing crisis response readiness and military interoperability with Gabonese forces. The event validated U.S. crisis response capabilities, strengthened regional alliances, and fostered multinational collaboration, showcasing the U.S.'s commitment to regional stability, capacity building, and addressing global security challenges.
Read more
AFRICOM Leadership Visits Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti
In a demonstration of U.S. commitment to regional stability and security, key leaders from U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) visited Camp Lemonnier to engage with U.S. troops deployed in Africa.
Read more