DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania -- Meeting with senior leaders of the Tanzania Peoples Defence Forces (TPDF), Maj. Gen. William B. Garrett III, echoed messages President Barrack Obama delivered during his trip to Ghana in July.
"President Obama, speaking of a vision for a stronger African future, said 'America has a responsibility to work with you as a partner to advance this vision, not just with words, but with support that strengthens African capacity,'" Garrett said. "Our role is to help you develop the capacity of your land forces to address security challenges and contribute to regional peace."
Garrett, commander of U.S. Army Africa, was visiting Dar es Salaam as part of his first trip to Tanzania. He met with Maj. Gen. W. M. Kisamba, Land Forces Commander, praising the TPDF for its upcoming participation in U.N. peacekeeping operations in Darfur and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
"TPDF soldiers play a vital role in helping to keep the peace in Africa," Garrett said. "No one should doubt their courage or resolve."
Tanzanian forces are also slated to take part in Natural Fire in Uganda this October - the largest multinational exercise conducted this year in Africa.
Globally sourced, the exercise includes military members from Tanzania, Uganda, Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda and the United States. Together the joint team will work to improve interoperability and also develop procedures to provide assistance during complex humanitarian emergencies like pandemic influenza.
"Our efforts to better understand the challenges that each of us face will improve our ability to address these challenges together," Garrett said.
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