Marruecos participa en los ejercicios militares Flintlock 2023 de Ghana y Costa de Marfil
Flintlock 2023 takes place in Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire from 1-15 March 2023 and involves some 1,300 military personnel from 30 different countries, according to the US Special Operations Command Africa. Flintlock aims to increase the ability of key partners in the region to collaborate across borders, combat violent extremist groups and protect their citizens while upholding human rights and building trust among civilians. To combat violent extremism and malicious activity in the Sahel and West Africa regions, a strong commitment from African and international partners is evident.
In the past, US forces have engaged with Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire through numerous military and diplomatic exchanges. Since 2005, Flintlock, the largest annual special operations exercise for US Africa Command, has been conducted in the Sahel region of Africa among countries participating in the Trans-Saharan Counterterrorism Partnership. It is planned by the special operations forces of African partner nations, Special Operations Command-Africa and the US State Department to increase capacity and cooperation among African security forces.
Flintlock will represent the skills of all these nations working together to address security challenges posed by threats across the region, SOCAF deputy commander Colonel Robert Zyla said during a combined press conference on 13 January in Accra. "Violent extremism endangers the peace of our allies around the world, as well as that of Africa. A more prosperous and secure society and global environment will result from making Africa safer and more secure," he said. With a focus on upholding human rights and building mutual trust with civilian populations, Flintlock aims to enhance the capacity of key partner countries in the region to fight violent extremist groups, work together across national borders and provide security for their citizens.
A shared commitment to stop malicious activity and violent extremism in the Sahel and West Africa regions is reflected in the strong engagement of African and international partners. While the primary focus of the exercise is regional security, the lessons learned at Flintlock will have a lasting impact outside of North and West Africa. In the past, US forces have engaged with Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire through numerous military and diplomatic exchanges. More than 400 participants from ten countries attended Flintlock 2022, which was held in Côte d'Ivoire last year. This year's initiative aims to further enhance the ability of allied and partner countries to jointly address important security challenges.
"Flintlock provides a critical training opportunity for US, African and international special operations forces," said US Navy Rear Admiral Milton J. Sands III, commander of US Special Operations Command Africa. "Together we are working to share best practices to address security challenges in the Sahel and off the coast of West Africa. A safer and more secure Africa will lead to a more prosperous global society and security environment."
Several African countries are participating this year, including Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Cameroon, Chad, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Libya, Mauritania, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Togo and Tunisia, and Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Spain, United Kingdom and United States are among the other participating nations. The operations of the multinational staff headquarters based in Accra, Ghana, will be the main focus of operations this year. Through a comprehensive scenario that includes command and control of simulated participants in various units, headquarters operations will assess and enhance the ability of participants to work together to address regional security issues.
At the same time, Western and African partners will train together remotely with the African host nation. The US Africa Command-sponsored exercises strengthen partnerships between African, US and other international military and police organisations, enhancing interoperability during crises and operations to increase security and stability in the region.
Americas Coordinator: José Antonio Sierra.