US, Zambia enhance security cooperation and capabilities with UN engagement training

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LUSAKA, Zambia - From September 2-13, 2024, the U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa's (SETAF-AF) civil affairs team in Zambia (CAT Zambia) facilitated a two-week United Nations engagement course for select participants from the Zambian Army. The training, held at the Kenneth Kaunda Peace Training Center in the Chongwe District, focused on preparing trainers within the Zambia Defence Force (ZDF) for future self-taught courses.

The mission supported partner capacity building and enhanced security cooperation between the U.S. and Zambia. In addition to strengthening ZDF capabilities, the initiative aligns with SETAF-AF and U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) strategic objectives to expand opportunities in Southern Africa, thereby distinguishing the U.S. as the region's partner of choice.

"The UN engagement platoon 'train the trainer' course was beneficial in allowing CAT Zambia to understand how the UN operates within a peacekeeping capacity, and how their use of civil military cooperation and engagement teams is very similar to U.S. Army civil affairs," said U.S. Army Staff Sgt. James Cooley, a civil affairs soldier with CAT Zambia, SETAF-AF.

The course, taught in partnership with the Institute for Security Governance (ISG), builds a sustainable training program within the ZDF by training future trainers who will continue passing on the skills and knowledge acquired during the course. By focusing on a train-the-trainer approach, the team supports AFRICOM's engagement style: partner-led, U.S.-enabled.

As a component of the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), ISG strengthens partner institutional capacity and capability through advising, education and professional development programs such as the engagement in Zambia.

The ZDF also aims to establish a lasting impact, ensuring that their forces remain well equipped for future peacekeeping missions.

"Attending this course gave us the opportunity to continue working alongside Zambian soldiers who attended a civil affairs class we instructed earlier in the year," said U.S. Army Sgt. Anthony Behring, a civil affairs soldier with CAT Zambia, SETAF-AF. "During the program, we were able to share best practices through joint discussions, while also learning from the Zambian's extensive UN experiences."

The first week of the course included hands-on training, where participants engaged in exercises designed to mirror real-world peacekeeping scenarios. Instructors from CAT Zambia and ISG worked closely with participants to guide them through complex engagements with civil authorities, sharing prior experiences and enhancing their skill sets.

This civil affairs program highlights the importance of sustainable knowledge transfer within defense institutions. In line with AFRICOM's guidance, the long-term goal is to create a self-sufficient training program that allows the ZDF to continually improve its own operational readiness.

U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Michael Langley, commander of AFRICOM, has continually maintained that most of the continent's nations prefer to solve African problems with African solutions. This engagement is the latest example of U.S. commitment to supporting that goal.

Recent U.S. engagements in Zambia include the African Land Forces Summit 2024, which was held in Livingstone, April 22-26. With 40 African nations in attendance, this year's theme was "Regional Solutions to Transnational Problems."

Ongoing civil affairs evaluations will provide valuable insights into how future training programs can be adapted to better serve the ZDF's specific needs. Looking ahead, SETAF-AF plans to continue its support of ZDF training efforts and explore ways to incorporate civil affairs into national and regional operations.

"This engagement helped to highlight the benefits of continued partnership and cooperation," concluded Behring.

About SETAF-AF

SETAF-AF provides U.S. Africa Command and U.S. Army Europe and Africa a dedicated headquarters to synchronize Army activities in Africa and scalable crisis-response options in Africa and Europe.

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