STOCKHOLM, Sweden – Lt. Gen. John Brennan, deputy commander of U.S. Africa Command, concluded a visit to the Swedish Ministry of Defence and Swedish Armed Forces Headquarters this week to discuss ongoing security cooperation and strategic partnerships.
The visit reinforced AFRICOM’s growing and continued partnership with Sweden and both nations shared security interests.
"Sweden’s steadfast partnership with the United States strengthens our shared ability to address complex global security challenges, including those emanating from the African continent," said Swedish Minister for Defence Pål Jonson. "Lt. Gen. Brennan’s visit underscores the strategic importance of our ongoing collaboration to promote stability abroad."
During the visit, Brennan met with Minister Jonson, Chief of Defence Gen. Michael Claesson, Chief of Joint Operations Vice Adm. Ewa Skoog-Haslum, and other key leaders at the Swedish Armed Forces headquarters.
The leaders discussed a range of shared priorities, including Sweden’s ongoing commitment to partnering with AFRICOM, counter-terrorism operations in Somalia, and aligned U.S.-Swedish strategies regarding African security. They also explored future opportunities to partner on a variety of initiatives across the continent.
“It was important to have Lt. Gen. Brennan and his team here at the Joint Operations headquarters,” said Vice Adm. Skoog-Haslum. “We have enjoyed incredible success with our partnership with AFRICOM and had productive meetings aimed toward increasing our collaboration.”
The delegation also reviewed the activities of a specialized Swedish contingent that deployed to Somalia in the summer of 2025 to support the Somali Armed Forces.
“Sweden continues to be a reliable and stalwart partner for AFRICOM,” Brennan said. “Their sustained commitment to our joint counter-terrorism initiatives in Somalia has significantly enhanced our capacity to disrupt ISIS and al-Shabaab networks, while bolstering the Federal Government of Somalia's sovereign security capabilities.”