African Lands Forces Summit 24 preparation enters final stages in Livingstone, Zambia

Photo By Neil Ruggiero | U.S. Army Capt. Kwame A. Addo, logistics officer, U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), poses for a photo with Zambian Army 2nd Lt. Esther Songe, public affairs officer, during the final planning event for the African Land Forces Summit 24 in Livingstone, Zambia, March 19, 2024. Sponsored by the U.S. Army Chief of Staff and co-hosted by SETAF-AF and the Zambia Army, ALFS 2024 will be held in Livingstone, April 22-26. The event will bring together senior leaders from across Africa, the U.S. and other partner nations to solidify relationships, exchange information on current topics of mutual interest and to encourage cooperation in addressing challenges. (U.S. Army photo by Neil Ruggiero)  

LIVINGSTONE, ZAMBIA

03.20.2024

Story by Neil Ruggiero 

U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa

Military planners from U.S. Army Southern European Task Force Africa (SETAF-AF) wrapped up their final preparations for the African Land Forces Summit 2024 (ALFS 24) in Livingstone, Zambia, during the ALFS 24 final planning event March 18-22.

The highly anticipated African Land Forces Summit, scheduled for April 22-26 in Livingstone, Zambia, is co-hosted by the U.S. Army and the Zambia Army. It brings together senior leaders from over 40 African nations alongside their U.S. and European counterparts to address pressing security challenges facing the continent.

This year's summit theme of "Regional Solutions to Transnational Problems" reflects a goal to foster collaboration and coordination in tackling issues like terrorism, violent extremism and organized crime.

"Africa's challenges are complex and interconnected," said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Robert Miller, International military engagements branch chief for SETAF-AF and lead planner for ALFS 24. "No single nation can effectively address these threats alone. ALFS 24 provides a platform for nations to share best practices, build partnerships and develop regional solutions that go beyond borders.”

“We are getting to the peak of the planning stage” said Zambian Army Col. Martin Kalaluka Liyungu, director of public affairs. “We recently hosted the commanding general from SETAF-AF and he went back a happy man after physically going through and seeing the preparations we are making for the summit.”

The final planning event saw key stakeholders discussing logistics, fine-tuning the agenda and finalizing details for the summit. These include high-level plenary discussions, breakout sessions and a military capability demonstration.

About ALFS
The African Land Forces Summit is an annual event hosted by the U.S. Army Chief of Staff in collaboration with an African partner nation. The 2024 edition marks the return of the summit to Southern Africa for the first time since 2019, highlighting the growing importance of regional partnerships in addressing the continent's security landscape.

• Date Taken: 03.20.2024
• Date Posted: 03.21.2024 09:49
• Story ID: 466501
• Location: LIVINGSTONE, ZM
• Hometown: STUTTGART, BW, DE
• Hometown: VICENZA, IT
• Hometown: LUSAKA, ZM