Luanda - Angola's participation in the "2024 Obangame” exercise held from May 10 to 16 reached 91.6 percent, the chief of the Angolan Navy's command post, Miguel Encoge, said Friday
Speaking at the debriefing of the exercise, the Navy chief said the Angolan Navy has taken part in 11 of the 12 military maneuvers carried out in the waters of the Gulf of Guinea.
The exercise is held annually as part of the implementation of the Yaoundé Architecture in the Gulf of Guinea region, where Angola is a party and coordinates Zone A.
It is part of the maritime agreements and interoperability between African, European and American countries, and takes place under the auspices of the Naval Forces Africa (NAVAF) of the US Africa Command (AFRICOM).
Vice-Admiral Manuel Ferreira de Jesus, Chief of Staff of the Angolan Navy (MGA) said the Obangame has contributed to empowering African navies, to autonomous coordination and to fight illegal acts at sea.
It has allowed for more operational and international collaboration, a good neighboring policy and the strengthening of military diplomacy.
The Navy Chief of Staff said it plays a fundamental role, as it contributes to freedom of navigation in the Gulf of Guinea region, reinforcing coordination in the fight against maritime insecurity.
The US Navy Commander Thomas Hees on his turn said it was an honor to take part in the joint work, having considered Obangame's activity in Zone A to be positive and expressed his intention to work with the Angolan navy again.
The MGM participated with a patrol vessel, an HSI-32 interceptor boat, four Rodman33 class patrol boats, three boarding teams, an equal number of pneumatic boats for VBSS training, a Maritime Operations Centre, an ambulance and a helicopter belonging to the National Air Force.
It also had teams of special action detachments of marines, specializing in cooperative and non-cooperative approaches. MGM/ART/TED/AMP
