Africa-Press – Malawi. Malawi Defence Force (MDF) Commander, General Paul Valentino Phiri, has underscored the importance of the relationship between the Malawi Army and the United States (US) Armed Forces.
Phiri made the remarks when he paid a courtesy call on US Armed Forces officials at the Pentagon in Virginia, the US. A statement from MDF indicates that, in his presentation at the Pentagon, Phiri expressed appreciation for the support Washington has been rendering to MDF.
“General Phiri laid out his vision of the MDF and how the United States can support the execution of this mission. Among the issues that General Phiri presented included the need to build the capacity and capability of the Malawi Defence Force in operationalisation of the quadri-service, and comprehensive disaster management, including the establishment of early warning and early response systems,” the statement reads.
The statement further says the Vice Chairperson of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Christopher Grady, appreciated Phiri’s vision and philosophy and assured him of continued support.
“Grady, who is the second highest-ranking military officer in the US Armed Forces, underlined the need for upholding the rule of law, accountability, and civilian control of the military. Grady commended the professionalism that the Malawi Defence Force has displayed and Malawi’s contribution to peacekeeping, especially in the Democratic Republic of the Congo,” it says.
The statement further says that, later, Phiri met General Daniel Hokanson, who is the Chief of the US National Guard, and Major General Todd Hunt, the Adjutant General of the North Carolina National Guard.
The two generals discussed matters of mutual interest between MDF and the North Carolina National Guard, which has partnered Malawi and Zambia in the State Partnership Programme. Phiri was in the US on a benchmarking exercise for the operationalisation of the country’s National Defence College.
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