Ms Theresa Whelan, US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence for African Affairs, visited senior leaders at the Namibian Ministry of Defence this week. She discussed opportunities that Namibia and the US have to further strengthen military relationships. "I am delighted to return to Namibia and look forward to expanding cooperation with Namibia in peacekeeping and addressing HIV/AIDS in the military," said Ms. Whelan. The US recently welcomed Namibia as a partner in the Africa Contingency Operations Training and Assistance (ACOTA) program. The training and equipment provided through ACOTA will increase the capacity of Namibian forces used in peacekeeping operations throughout Africa.

The US also want to build regional and sub-regional security capabilities, in partnership with Namibia, by strengthening institutional capacity in the African Union (AU) and the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC.

Ms Whelan is the senior advisor to the Secretary of Defence for all matters relating to defence and security policy in Africa. This marks the most senior US Department of Defence civilian visit to Namibia in at least 5 years and Ms Whelan’s fourth visit; her first as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence.