18 Aug 2024

Botswana Defence Force (BDF) and United States of America (USA) Military successfully concluded a joint military training exercise held at Taukgolo Ranges near Shoshong.

The two-week exercise dubbed Southern Accord 24, aimed at enhancing capability of the BDF and US militaries in various areas of specialties such as special operations, air capabilities, logistics, disaster response, gender integration in operations, infantry skills training as well as combat engineering capabilities training.

The Minister of Defence and Security Honourable Kagiso Mmusi, who officially closed the exercise on Friday, commended the two nations for successfully co-hosting the Southern Accord 2024 and achieving the set objectives of the exercise.

 “This exercise underpins the bilateral relations between our governments, which have deep historical roots,” Minister Mmusi stated.

The areas of cooperation , he said encompass multiple sectors, including military engagements that aim to share knowledge and sharpen operational skills.

Furthermore, he highlighted that the military operated under complex security environment therefore it was important for the objectives of this exercise to be tailor made to adequately prepare the military to be able to operate in the contemporary operational environment.

Minister Mmusi assured them that his ministry would see to it that the BDF was appropriately resourced and adequately capacitated in order to deliver on its mandate which could be achieved by conducting exercises of this nature where resources and manpower were committed to share valuable insights in military operations.

“BDF members should consider themselves fortunate for having been allowed to co-host and interact with counterparts from one of the best and most professional militaries in the world,” Mr Mmusi said.

Commander of the BDF Lt General Placid Segokgo commended the US for mobilising resources to support an exercise of this magnitude.

Through the US military, he said the USA government committed immeasurable resources, personnel and expertise on the exercise, adding that the collaboration between the two countries, specifically on defence and security matters had been a constant undertaking since the birth of the BDF.

Lt General Segokgo also emphasised that the successful completion of Exercise Southern Accord 24 was a testament of the steadfast partnership of the two countries highlighting mutual trust and confidence in each other.

He also thanked Southern European Task Force Africa, the Deputy Commanding General-National Guard, United States of America Army, Southern European Task Force Africa, Brigadier John Leblanc and North Carolina National Guard for partnering with  BDF in the preparation and hosting of the exercise.

In addition, he thanked the participants from both militaries for their resolute dedication to duty and resilience during the planning and conduct of the Southern Accord 24.

The US Ambassador to Botswana Dr Howard Van Vranken said ‘through this exercise “we have shared the drive to develop our operational and tactical capabilities.”

For this progress to happen, he said it was important to recognise that mutual trust was absolutely essential because “we share values, our multi-party democracies and all volunteer forces are built on the same foundation of professionalism and dedication to our countries,” he added. Ends