Practice the eye and eye diplomacy they emphasize, Ambassador John W. Brennan, JR and Robert K. Scott, top leaders of the US military African Command, is working directly in Angola for four days to chart new courses of security collaboration.
They are the Secretary of Defense of Angola, Jose Maria de Lima, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs Esmerelda Mendonza, Co-Chief of Staff in Patriot Education, General Jose Maria Marquez, Charge de Aize Noah Zaring and his team and his team are the members of the United States, Embas Angola and San Tom.
The discussion focused on strengthening security cooperation efforts that will help promote regional stability, trade and economic development. Brennan serves as the deputy commander of Africa, oversees strategic involvement in promoting US security interests in Africa and wears a three-star insignia.
Brennan looked back on the roots of the Special Forces in an exclusive one-on-one interview with DefenseWeb on the same day as his high-level meeting. “You know, some of my friends in Africa are now defence directors,” Brennan said. “I incorporate the credibility of our relationships with them…we can use our connections to greater benefits.”
He provided a vivid example of the power of these relationships. “This is the fifth JCET (co-exchange training) in Angola. It started in 2022 and in my previous work in Special Operations Command, I actually approved the GSC. I couldn't believe I was actually interested in it. Usually, the first people are special operations, special operations, and already assisted the whole of the globe. The first man who called me said, “We can mobilize ships and get transport access from Port Sudan. That's an example of that network.”
Scott brings over 30 years of diplomatic experience in Africa. This includes his role as US ambassador for Malawi and as deputy director of missions for Zimbabwe and Tanzania. “The value of someone looking at something eye-opening and glaring can't be overstated. It sets a tone and builds trust in ways that can't be done by formal agreement alone.”
The visit also included a trip to a training base near Caboledo. There, the delegation met with the brigade commander of Angolan Special Forces and observed Angolan and the US forces running a live-action campaign as part of JCET, focusing on closed combat and small unit tactics. According to Africom, JCETS and other large-scale exercises will increase alliance preparation and interoperability, and promote combat response forces that can stop aggression.
In addition to existing military and military involvement, Angola was recently accepted into the 2025 cohort of the US General Defense National Partnership Program (SPP). “The state's partnership program is a tangible yet incredibly impactful initiative,” Scott explained. “It's not just the military. The governor, university and business community are involved as they are national security entities. Angola is about to sign one and will be transformative.” An announcement that the US state will partner with Angola is expected by the end of the year.
Scott also highlighted the importance of economic connectivity initiatives such as the Robit Corridor, a key rail and infrastructure network that connects Angola to inland neighbours such as Zambia and the DRC. “When we came here, it took 28 days to ship along the Lobito corridor,” Scott said. “Now we're down to 7. That reduction is more than logistics. It's strategic. It improves efficiency, ensures safer delivery, and supports the economic resilience of the region.”
The visit also addressed regional and cross-border security threats. Apart from an official interview with Brennan Scott, an authoritative source within the US defense facility told DefenseWeb the US is tracking new trends: the rise in the presence of Mexican drug cartels on the African continent. “I think we've got to the fourth known cartel. The Gulf Cartel is here now,” the official said.
He explained that he explained the rise in drug attacks, particularly in West Africa, along coastal cones that stretch north from South Africa. “We have promoted some of our partners to stop drug shipping and have been successful to some extent in Mozambique a few weeks ago, along with the two Corvettes we gave them.
Scott highlighted Angola's regional role in dealing with instability. “There is no threat to terrorists that are emitted or proliferated within Angola and Namibia, but they exist at the border. Mozambique has an ISIS franchise. Angola's concerns – flow of regeneration, crime, human trafficking – all impact investment and stability.”
He added that Angola's involvement in regional frameworks, including maritime initiatives such as the Yaoundé Code of Conduct, is key to promoting safe sea levels and economic corridors.
From joint exercises to sharing strategies, live-action training to diplomatic alignment, Angolan's legs of this African trip introduced more than just topics. It demonstrated how eye-to-eye diplomacy rooted in trustworthy leadership and authentic human connections redefine the contours of US-Africa security partnerships.
Perlmate is a Washington, D.C.-based geopolitical analyst and correspondent with expertise in foreign policy and international security, regularly covering the Pentagon and White House. Follow her on X (Twitter): @pearlmatibe.
