Army Leads 1st Exchange in Central African Republic

Army Leads 1st Exchange in Central African Republic

Officials meeting
Photo by: Courtesy

In a significant milestone, leaders from U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa, conducted a professional military exchange with leaders of the armed forces in the Central African Republic, according to an Army news release.

Co-led by Air Force Col. Valentin Maldonado, inspector general for U.S. Africa Command, and Lt. Col. Benjamin Barrett, inspector general of the Southern European Task Force, Africa, the engagement was aimed at strengthening military oversight, enhancing readiness and promoting transparency within military operations, the release said.

It was the first time U.S. and Central African Republic military leaders have met to establish direct relationships and included key leaders from the republic’s ministry of defense, the U.S. embassy and the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic, the release said.

“The exchange reflects our commitment to fostering transparency, accountability and professionalism,” Barrett said in the release. “Through collaborative efforts like these, we can strengthen partnerships and build a foundation of trust that is critical for security and stability.”

The inspectors general and a staff judge advocate team lead by Capt. Charles Blanton focused discussions on the law of armed conflict, military investigations and the relationship between the inspector general and legal systems.

The exchange also provided a forum to address challenges unique to the Central African Republic, including rebuilding military governance structures after years of conflict.

Participants discussed the importance of leadership support in advancing reforms, emphasizing the need for cooperation between the inspector general and staff judge advocate offices to combat corruption and strengthen institutional trust, according to the release.

Future engagements are being planned to build on the progress of the exchange, which took place in early December. Recommendations include extending the duration of future events to include regional partners such as Senegal and Rwanda.

Southern European Task Force, Africa, known as SETAF-AF, in Vicenza, Italy, is a headquarters designed to synchronize Army activities in Africa and craft crisis response options in Africa and Europe.