Africa-Press. The U.S. military leadership in Africa confirmed Washington’s commitment to continue enhancing military cooperation with Tunisia and expanding its scope. This was stated during discussions between the head of U.S. Africa Command, General Dagvin Anderson, and the Tunisian Minister of Defense Khaled Souheil, at the ministry’s headquarters in the capital, Tunis, according to a statement from the Tunisian Ministry of Defense.
Anderson praised the level of military cooperation between Tunisia and the United States, highlighting the competencies and training capabilities of the Tunisian army, which were evident during Tunisia’s hosting of the “African Lion 2026” exercises. He also expressed the U.S. administration’s commitment to further enhance military cooperation and expand its areas to serve the interests of both countries.
For his part, Souheil expressed satisfaction with the level of joint military cooperation. He considered it a reflection of a long-term strategic partnership that encompasses not only logistical and technical support but also training, education, and joint military exercises.
Souheil noted that the success of the “African Lion 2026” exercises reflected the level of integration and operational readiness of the armed forces in both countries. He also expressed Tunisia’s desire to develop the bilateral partnership, particularly in the areas of defense technology transfer, strategic and intelligence cooperation, to address security challenges and geopolitical changes.
The Tunisian Minister of Defense emphasized the importance of his country’s role as a factor of stability and security in the Mediterranean region, as well as a regional center for military training and hosting multilateral exercises. He pointed out that the upcoming session of the Tunisian-American Joint Military Committee, scheduled to take place in the United States in September, will provide an opportunity to assess the course of bilateral military cooperation and determine its priorities for the upcoming phase.
As part of the defense cooperation between the two countries, Tunisia received a C-130 military transport aircraft in January 2026, and the United States delivered 48 “Hummer” vehicles in June to enhance its capabilities in border protection, counter-terrorism, smuggling, and organized crime, in addition to an advanced radiation detection system for use at Rades Port, the largest port in the country.
