USARAF commander discusses readiness with Senegal army chief of staff

VICENZA, Italy – Maj. Gen. Roger Cloutier, the U.S. Army Africa commander, conducted a phone call with Brig. Gen. Fulgence Ndour, the Senegalese army chief of staff, May 12. The generals discussed responses to COVID-19, Senegalese training center enhancement, the Security Force Assistance Brigade, and other efforts to increase the readiness and capabilities of the Senegalese armed forces. 

Cloutier also extended condolences to Senegal for lives lost due to COVID-19, and applauded the Senegalese efforts against the virus. 

During the call, Cloutier and Ndour also discussed the Senegalese army’s training capability and operational capacity, as well as United Accord 20, a U.S. Africa Command-directed, USARAF-led multinational exercise scheduled to take place in Senegal Sept. 10-25.

Cloutier also addressed USARAF’s commitment to partnering with the Senegalese armed forces to enhance its efforts in counter-violent extremist organization operations and its capacity to conduct peacekeeping missions.

Cloutier also spoke to Ndour about the Security Force Assistance Brigade that recently conducted logistics training with the Senegalese army, indicating that it is poised and ready to partner with the Senegalese army in the future.

Cloutier will continue to conduct phone calls with African partners to reaffirm U.S. commitment to African security in the face of the global COVID-19 pandemic.