Mozambican military, Marines motivated for exercise 

An ancient Mozambican tribal tradition heralded in the military ceremony that marked the start of Exercise SHARED ACCORD 2010, Aug. 3. As flashes from digital cameras illuminated their faces, local tribal leaders ritualistically sacrificed two chickens and a goat to bless both the exercise and the sacred tree of Moamba.

“The ceremony was a fantastic and heartfelt gesture to ensure the safety and success of the exercise and its participants,” said U.S. Marine Maj. Keith Nunn, lead SA10 exercise planner for U.S. Marine Forces, Africa. “(The ceremony) speaks to the access the Mozambicans are granting us. We are doing more here than just entering their airfields and ports; they are allowing us access to their culture - their world.” 

The 10-day exercise will include staff training, small unit tactical training, and humanitarian civic-assistance programs to include medical services, dental services, and engineering projects. A task force of more than 700 service members will be working closely with the Armed Forces for the Defense of Mozambique (FADM) for the duration of the exercise. The U.S. task force, comprised largely of reserve Marines, began arriving at Moamba’s military base, July 29.

“Our goal is to demonstrate our U.S. peacekeeping tactics, technique and procedures,” said Nunn. “The big thing is to build their confidence so they can become regional peacekeepers for the African Union or United Nations abroad.” 

Eighteen months of planning and shaping went into making SA10 possible. Last year, Mozambique sent two observers to SHARED ACCORD 2009, which was hosted in Benin. Nunn’s Mozambican counterpart, FADM Col. Daniel “Hugo” Chabongo, whom Nunn called a visionary, was one of the observers there. Nunn described the experience as vital in order to get Mozambique comfortable with the size and scope of what the combined exercise entails.

“In Benin, I saw both the great environment the Marines create, and the Marines’ high speed communication technology in action,” said Chabongo, training operations officer for the FADM’s Headquarters General Staff. “Observing and implementing technological improvements will be good for both our country and the region. This exercise not only allows us to work alongside updated technology, but our officers get to see how everything works together and have real life experiences.”

The decision to invite the U.S. military to Mozambique for SA10 was made before he went to Benin, Chabongo said, modestly downplaying his vital involvement in the organization of the exercise. However, he does admit to having an influence in the planning process to ensure everything went according to schedule, and that there were no problems, cancelations or delays.  

“The government of Mozambique is stepping out on a limb here,” said Nunn. “This is the first time the U.S. is deploying forces of this size in Sub-Saharan Africa - the first time Mozambique has ever invited the U.S. to do something of this magnitude. This is a seminal moment in the relationship between the United States and Mozambique.”

The country of Mozambique won its independence in 1975. After expelling Portuguese colonists, the Mozambican people endured a devastating civil war that lasted from 1977 until 1992. More than 900,000 died in fighting and from starvation; five million civilians were displaced, and many Mozambicans were maimed by land mines.

“One of our missions here is to assist the Mozambicans with (hasty) land mine clearing,” said U.S. Marine Sgt. William B. Cook, a combat engineer with 2nd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment. “This is heavily mined country. There are more than 700,000 mines left over here from their civil war, and we are here to help remove them.”

The U.S. Marines here know Mozambican history, and they know that they have a great deal of sweat and toil ahead of them. Yet, in typical Marine fashion, and though the challenge is great, the inspired Marines look at the hardships as motivation.

“I’m sweating; it’s darn hot, but it’s real good to be here,” said Cook. “I know us helping (the Mozambicans) will improve both our relationship with their country and the lives of the people here.”

The task force will also be helping to rebuild local schools in Moamba and Sabie. The Marines are energized by the opportunity to have a positive, long-lasting impact on the lives of school children here. The current school needs new floors, fresh interior paint, new doors, fixed windows, and a new roof for the teacher’s quarters.

“We are excited to be here, on a new continent, and to do our jobs for real,” said Sgt. Justin Spencer, a combat engineer with 2/25. “The work we do here on the school will remain after we leave. The kids will remember us, and I’m going to go back to the States knowing I did something good that will remain.” 

Chabango shares the Marines’ excitement about the exercise, the U.S.-Mozambican partnership and many relationships he said he is developing with his U.S. brothers in arms.

With a warm smile, Chabango said, “I love this partnership, and hope it will continue far after this exercise ends.  

“We are building lifelong friendships that will be good for both of us,” added Chabango. “This exercise is not just militaries cooperating together; it is the development of real friendships that will have long-lasting positive impacts on the world.” 

Nunn agrees.

“Always a brotherhood of arms,” said Nunn.  “Mozambique is another case that proves that saying true.”

SHARED ACCORD is an annually scheduled, bi-lateral U.S. Africa Command-partner nation event. It is designed to build AFRICOM partner nation capacity for peace and stability operations. Previously, SA has taken place in locations such as Benin, Ghana, and Senegal. The exercise is coordinated by AFRICOM’s Marine component, U.S. Marine Forces Africa.  The exercise is scheduled to conclude on or around Aug. 10.  All troops will return to their home bases in Europe and the U.S. at the end of the exercise.