Africa-Press – Angola. The defense attaché at the US Embassy in Angola, John Ringquist, considered the Soyo Naval Base “an opportunity” for the Navy to demonstrate its security capacity in the country and in the Gulf of Guinea region.
Speaking within the framework of the reopening of the infrastructure, the American diplomat was concerned about the instability in that region and reiterated his country’s willingness to support the fight against criminal groups and illegal activities.
According to John Ringquist, the presence of a military vessel in the Gulf of Guinea is a major concern for pirates, illegal fishermen and others, hence the need for cooperation between the naval forces of African countries and beyond.
He considered Angola as a potential partner, with which it could be counted on to work towards improvements in the region.
“We cannot have a ship in the Gulf of Guinea every day, but with strong partners, like Angola, we must work for exchange and create security in the future”, he said, underlining the importance of the relationship between the naval forces of both countries.
He referred that the United States of America has carried out specific naval exercises in North, South and West Africa, as well as with partners from other parts of the world, namely France, Spain, Brazil and Portugal.
Corroborating the importance of the Naval Base of Soyo in the fight against piracy in the Gulf of Guinea, the defense attaché of the Embassy of Portugal in Angola, Guedes Vaz, highlighted the investment of the Angolan Executive in the modernization of the infrastructure.
For the officer, investment in terms of infrastructure and technical means will oblige the Angolan Navy to invest more and more in training its personnel.
Guedes Vaz considered it necessary for the Angolan and Portuguese Armed Forces to continue carrying out joint military exercises, in order to strengthen combat skills.
Re-inaugurated this Monday by the President of the Republic, João Lourenço, the Soyo Naval Base has a Regional Maritime Coordination Centre.
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