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On 7/24/2009 9:34:07 AM Command Sergeant Major Mark Ripka wrote
During my recent trip to Africa I had the opportunity to visit and observe the U.S. Independence and Rwanda Independence celebration; attend the 15th Anniversary of Rwanda Liberation Day; visit the Rwanda Military Academy-Gako to observe African Contingency Operations Training and Assistance (ACOTA) training; conduct an office visit with the Rwanda Defense Force, Chief of the Defense Staff to continue our discussion on Enhancing WO-NCO Capacity.
On 3 July we honored Rwanda Independence Day and Liberation Day by visiting the Kigali Genocide Memorial. The Deputy Chief of Mission led our delegation through the Memorial. Visiting the Kigali Memorial is always a sobering but profound experience for me. Later in the evening, Ambassador Symington hosted a small, informal reception at the Chief of Mission Residence, which included the RDF Chief of Plans, Operations, and Training.
Upon receipt of a Presidential Invitation we attended the 15th Anniversary of Rwanda Liberation Day at Amahora Stadium on July 4th. The program of events for the 15th Rwanda Liberation Day included a full military review. Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, Prime Minister of Ethiopia; President Yoweri Museveni, President of Uganda; and the late Julius Nyerere, former President of Tanzania were awarded the National Liberation and the Campaign Against Genocide Medals during the program. Julius Nyerere's widow accepted the honor on her late husband's behalf. It was a very moving ceremony, which, to me, was a reminder of the sacrifices and bravery of so many people who contributed to the struggle and eventual achievement of Rwanda's liberation. The 4-hour ceremony concluded with President Kagame's address followed by a performance by the National Ballet.
On 6 July we visited RMA-Gako, where U.S. State Department African Contingency Operations Training and Assistance (ACOTA) training is conducted. MAJ Christopher Hurlburt, the U.S. Defense Attach to Rwanda and I met with the Commander RMA-Gako and the ACOTA Country Manager. We observed Week 5 ACOTA trainingthe final weekof their Staff Skills training. During our discussions we emphasized the use of tactical aide memoires (TAMs) for leaders deploying to Darfur. We discussed and demonstrated the usefulness of Smart Cards, regional language, and pointie-talkie TAMs. It is no surprise to me that African partner nation militaries are very interested in acquiring more TAMs. The US military extensively relies on TAMs.
On 7 July we conducted an office visit with the RDF-Chief of the Defense Staff (CDS). The purpose of this visit was a follow-up to the April 2009 visit in which the CDS asked us to return to continue our discussion on Enhancing WO-NCO Capacity. Following our discussion the CDS invited me to return to deliver a formal presentation to RDF Commands and Staff. We then discussed our observations from the previous day's visit to RMA-Gako.
In closing, this was another opportunity to listen and learn from our African partners. Here again, this visit reinforced the importance of developing and sustaining relationships with key leaders in partner nations, as well as our efforts to support Ambassadors, the Country Team, and our Defense Attachs in Africa.
On 7/30/2009 3:07:18 AM Anonymous in Unspecified wrote I can't understand hardly any of this blog. This is indicative of the staff blog postings—full of jargon, not written in a conversational tone at all. Your trips to Africa must be eye-opening. I wish your blogs would reflect that.
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