US seeks to strengthen military cooperation with Madagascar
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Midi Madagasikara
The United States wants to strengthen its military cooperation with Madagascar, particularly on maritime security in the western Indian Ocean, according to General John Brennan, AFRICOM’s deputy commander. The US delegation also visited Madagascar’s regional maritime information centre, which brings together seven countries, reports Midi Madagasikara.
Maritime security in the western Indian Ocean and defence partnerships were at the centre of discussions between Madagascar and the United States during the visit of Lieutenant General John Brennan, deputy commander of AFRICOM, the United States Africa Command. Brennan said Washington notably wants to strengthen Madagascar’s regional maritime information centre, which brings together seven countries to share information on maritime traffic, according to Midi Madagasikara.
AFRICOM wants to increase the capabilities of the system through new surveillance technologies, including SeaVision, a maritime tracking tool. John Brennan also said he wanted Madagascar to host more regional military exercises, notably Cutlass Express 2027, an exercise dedicated to maritime security, according to Midi Madagasikara.
Bilaterally, Madagascar and the United States are close to concluding an AXA agreement allowing funds to be mobilised and services to be exchanged as part of these exercises, John Brennan said. The US official also described military cooperation between Madagascar and Russia as “nascent” and expressed concerns about the Russian security model in the Sahel, which he said could contribute to destabilising other African regions, according to Midi Madagasikara.
John Brennan’s visit to Madagascar and Mozambique comes after the announcement on 11 November of an AFRICOM official’s visit to Mozambique and Madagascar. It also follows concerns expressed by Washington the same day about Russian expansion in Mozambique.
