Officials from the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) visited Namibia this week to deepen military and security cooperation as southern Africa grapples with rising transnational threats, including maritime insecurity and regional instability.
AFRICOM said on Friday that its deputy commander John W. Brennan and the deputy for civil-military engagement Robert Scott held high-level talks with Namibia’s Defence Minister Frans Kapofi in Windhoek from 21-22 July.
The talks focused on joint training, maritime awareness and efforts to counter wildlife and timber trafficking.
“Namibia plays an important role as an anchor for fostering stability in southern Africa,” Brennan said.
The visit comes amid growing concerns over illegal fishing, timber smuggling and wildlife trafficking across southern Africa’s porous borders.
Namibia’s coastline and conservation areas have increasingly become targets for criminal networks, prompting calls for stronger maritime surveillance and interagency coordination.
AFRICOM and Namibia have a longstanding partnership, including joint efforts to bolster health infrastructure and support regional development.
In 2025, Namibia participated in AFRICOM’s Obangame Express maritime exercise and the African Maritime Forces Summit, both aimed at enhancing joint readiness and collective coastal defence.
Scott emphasised the importance of civil-military collaboration, noting Namibia’s role in advancing regional security.
“From participating in maritime security events to collaborating on vital projects like building field hospitals and countering wildlife trafficking and other transnational threats, we are finding common ground with Namibia,” he said.
AFRICOM, one of seven US geographic combatant commands, oversees military engagement across 53 African nations, working to counter malign actors, strengthen security forces and support US diplomatic efforts to promote stability and prosperity on the continent.
JN/APA