A planning conference, held from 18-21 June, marked the culmination of extensive preparations for the joint military exercise aimed at enhancing cooperation and interoperability between the two nations.

Southern Accord 2024, sponsored by US Africa Command and led by the US Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), is a biennial exercise. It unites US and Botswana service members to conduct a range of operations, including humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, peacekeeping, and aeromedical evacuation. This year’s exercise is notable as the first major bilateral exercise in Botswana since 2012.

Colonel David Nkete, lead exercise planner with the BDF, emphasized the significance of the event, stating, "We’re very proud of our partnership with the North Carolina National Guard, sharing military best practices with each other since 2008. Exercise Southern Accord gives us an opportunity to further strengthen our US-Botswana partnership and enhance our joint readiness."

The 2024 exercise will be conducted across three locations in Botswana, featuring bilateral field training with a special operations focus and a series of academic workshops. The US Army highlighted the holistic approach of the exercise, which aims to address shared peacekeeping strategies comprehensively.

A key aspect of Southern Accord 2024 is its emphasis on gender integration and the support of women, peace, and security (WPS) initiatives.

The exercise aligns with the 2024 African Chiefs of Defence Conference, where military leaders from 40 nations gathered in Gaborone at the end of June. These collaborative efforts underscore the enduring partnership between the US and Botswana, promoting peace and stability in the region.

Additionally, the US bolstered this partnership by donating a surplus C-130H Hercules transport aircraft to the Botswana Defence Force at the end of June. This donation comes as a significant boost after the grounding of the BDF Air Wing’s three existing C-130s last year.

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