A team made up of African soldiers will participate in the Flintlock 2023 drills.
The drills are a two week anti-terrorism training course led by the United States. The training is being held in Ghana as well as Ivory Coast. The troops are learning to conduct anti-piracy operation.
Major DeMarco, from the United States military, stated that this training not just prepares African partner states for maritime security missions but also fosters cooperation and collective security. As terrorist insurgencies have decimated countries such as Mali and Burkina Faso in the region, this training is crucial. The training, which will be held until March 15, involves more than 1,000 people and 29 nations.
Flintlock, the U.S. Africa Command’s largest annual joint special operations exercise, is held every year since 2005.
Spain’s ambassador to Ghana sees the partnership and cooperation with West African countries as strategically important. This is because events in the area have a direct effect on Europe. Additionally, the training will build local capacities to tackle common challenges like piracy and terrorists.