Exercise Southern Accord 2026 concluded with U.S. and the Republic of Botswana Defence Force leaders reaffirming their commitment to strengthening military partnerships and regional cooperation during a Closing Ceremony held August 15, 2026, at Gaborone Technical College in Botswana. The closing ceremony marked the culmination of the exercise, which brought U.S. and Botswana personnel together for training focused on interoperability, planning and shared security challenges.
The North Carolina National Guard and Botswana Defence Force have been part of the State Partnership Program since 2008. The partnership provides a foundation for military exchanges, joint training and professional development, and the Southern Accord allows the NCNG and BDF to share knowledge through realistic training.
“The rigor of this exercise challenged participants to learn new concepts in cyber defense and space operations,” said Deputy Exercise Director, U.S. Air Force Col. Anthony Sullins. “Their ability to work as a team to plan a complex, multi-domain operation like the one you saw demonstrated here today. We integrated plans for the media, Botswana government ministries, Botswana civil agencies and departments, United States Africa Command, United States Space Force and the North Carolina National Guard into one joint task force staff.”
The State Partnership Program extends beyond military activities. It encourages military and civilian leaders to engage in education, science and technology, agriculture and other areas.
“Today marks the successful completion of an exercise that has demonstrated our collective commitment with national security, military professionalism, cooperation and partnership,” said Botswana Defence Force Maj. Gen. Simon Motswana Barwabatsile. “Over the past days, we have witnessed not only the strengthening of operational capabilities, but also the upbuilding of trusting relationships founded on trust and shared purpose.”
Southern Accord 2024 trained capabilities relevant to real-world contingencies, including humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, peacekeeping, and aeromedical evacuation. In 2025, Botswana participated with NCNG and other State Partnership Program nations in a hurricane-response symposium examining lessons learned from Hurricane Helene.
This year, Southern Accord 2026 conducted a joint, multi-domain planning exercise that was a collaborative effort between the Botswana Defence Force, the North Carolina National Guard, and, for the first time, the United States Space Force, with support from AFRICOM. Several functional areas were stood up, including cells for cyber, intelligence, space operations, and the main staff exercise.
“The shared work by Botswana and Americans we saw today is living proof of our enduring partnership. You can see decades of cooperation that benefit both countries. You can see two capable militaries working side by side to make Africa better,” said U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Botswana, Howard A. Van Vranken. “Southern Accord 2024 strengthened how we train together. Southern Accord 2026 strengthened how we plan together. As we look toward Southern Accord 2028, we should build upon the lessons, relationships, and capabilities developed during both exercises.”