LIBREVILLE, Gabon – U.S. military members joined together with forces from several central African countries and United Nations allies to participate in the opening ceremony of the Central Accord 2015 exercise at Libreville, Gabon, May 13, 2015.
The U.S. ambassador to Gabon, Cynthia Akuetteh, said the number one purpose of this exercise is to maintain the peace, test the capacities and strengthen the relationships of all nations involved in the exercise.
A total of 15 countries are participating in the exercise. The exercise not only provides an opportunity to train and become more efficient in multinational responses to crises and threats around the world, it is also a show of the U.S. military’s continued support to Gabon and the other central African countries participating.
“In a world characterized by changing and diverse threats, African countries have recognized the need to address themselves to the large security challenges that come their way,” said Commissioner General Air Marshal Jean Felix Sockat, the secretary general of the Department of National Defense for Gabon.
Sockat encouraged the participants of the exercise to fully engage themselves in the training. The multinational military forces will practice working together in operational, logistical, and medical support of peacekeeping and humanitarian operations.
“It is clear that in this era of globalization, no country can singlehandedly deal with all forms of threats. This is what justifies the pooling of strengths and experience-sharing that supports this kind of exercise,” said Sockat.