West Africa: U.S. Africa Command and Cameroon Armed Forces Host West Africa Logistics Conference in Douala

Staff Sgt. Amy Younger / U.S. Air Force
U.S. Army Special Operations commander Lt. Gen. Jonathan Braga, exits a helicopter after returning from a regional effort to promote security and strengthen partnerships, at Air Base 101, Niger, June 12, 2023. Braga visited Air Base 101 as part of a tour visiting installations under his command.
19 September 2024
United States Africa Command (Stuttgart)

Stuttgart, Germany — Military Logistics professionals from 13 African nations and organizations and the United States attend

U.S. Africa Command and the Cameroon Armed Forces kicked off the West Africa Logistics Conference here today in Douala, Cameroon, convening more than 60 West African and U.S military logistics leaders.

During the next two days, these logistics leaders will discuss shared logistics challenges and identify opportunities to cooperate on improving interoperability and operational effectiveness.

"The WALC serves as an essential platform for regional collaboration, enabling military and civilian leaders from across the region to discuss shared logistics challenges and identify opportunities for collaboration," said Air Force Brig. Gen. George "Dutch" Dietrich, Director of Logistics for U.S. Africa Command. "I look forward to collaborating over the next two days and to continuing our partnerships in the future. I also want to thank our partners in the Cameroon Armed Forces for hosting us and helping put this conference together over the past year."

"Logistics drives everything we do," stated U.S. Marine Corps Gen Michael Langley, Commander of U.S. Africa Command. "Our ability to continue to fight depends on our ability to sustain the fighting force; the ability to respond to humanitarian disaster depends on our ability to deliver supplies quickly to the point of need; and the ability to sustain and rapidly deliver supplies depends on a logistics network or supply system that is always ready to respond.

Building on the success of last year's WALC in Cote d'Ivoire, this year's event aims to foster a deeper, shared understanding of regional logistics challenges, best practices, lessons learned, and opportunities for collaboration. The 2024 WALC in Douala will feature speakers, panels, and partner-led discussions allowing participants to engage in meaningful dialogue on a broad range of topics, including:

  1. Significant changes and developments in logistics operations, strategic partnerships, and services over the past year
  2. Opportunities for logistics cooperation and institution building
  3. Challenges of preparing for and responding to disasters and crises

Upon the conclusion of the WALC, AFRICOM anticipates a renewed commitment to advancing logistics capabilities within the region and forging stronger partnerships between West African militaries and international partners. AFRICOM remains dedicated to supporting African nations' security initiatives, strengthening our collective ability to address and mitigate regional security challenges.

Countries and organizations represented at the conference this year include Benin, Cabo Verde, Cameroon, Chad, Côte d'Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Ghana, Liberia, Mauritania, Nigeria, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, The Gambia, and the Economic Community of West African States.

The United States Africa Command (USAFRICOM), alongside its African and interagency partners, is charged with the responsibility of enhancing security and stability in Africa to advance and protect U.S. national interests. For more information, visit our website, Facebook and Twitter pages, or contact U.S. Africa Command Media Relations at africom-pao-media@mail.mil. Please also see the website (https://cm.usembassy.gov/), Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/Yaounde.USEmbassy), and X/Twitter (@USEmbYaounde) for the U.S. Embassy in Yaounde.

Read the original article on Africom.

Tagged:
Copyright © 2024 United States Africa Command. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections — or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here.

AllAfrica publishes around 600 reports a day from more than 110 news organizations and over 500 other institutions and individuals, representing a diversity of positions on every topic. We publish news and views ranging from vigorous opponents of governments to government publications and spokespersons. Publishers named above each report are responsible for their own content, which AllAfrica does not have the legal right to edit or correct.

Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica. To address comments or complaints, please Contact us.