The Tanzanian navy plays a highly influential role in the region.
Signs of a growing maritime partnership between Tanzania and the United States were evident throughout Tanga, the second largest port in the East African nation of Tanzania, which is strategically located for maritime security operations in the region.
Relations between the two countries were strengthened when Mr. Andrew Lentz, the Chargé d’Affaires at the U.S. Embassy, handed over a new naval vessel maintenance facility in Tanga, coinciding with the conduct of Exercise Cotlas Express 2026, a multilateral maritime security deployment exercise sponsored by the U.S. Africa Command, off the coast of northern Tanzania and in the western Indian Ocean in February.
Rear Admiral Amiri Ramadan Hassan, commander of the Tanzanian People’s Defence Forces, beamed with a smile as he toured the US-funded facility during its opening ceremony on February 6.
“This facility embodies our shared vision for a secure and prosperous future,” Lentz said at the ceremony. “We are investing in Tanzania’s maritime capabilities to strengthen the bonds of trust and cooperation that spread security and prosperity in our two countries.”
This facility will enhance the Tanzanian People’s Defence Forces’ ability to maintain its fleet and combat piracy, smuggling, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, and everything that affects maritime security.
The US Embassy said in a statement: “This investment demonstrates the United States’ confidence in the leadership and technical capabilities of the Tanzanian People’s Defence Forces, and highlights the importance of having strong and capable partners to promote regional security.”
She added: “Maritime security is indispensable to the safety and economic growth of both countries, and the new facility will enhance the security of coasts and ports along Tanzania’s northern coast, support the fight against illicit trafficking and maritime law enforcement, and contribute to raising awareness of the maritime domain in the western Indian Ocean.”
The facility includes workshops, offices, and maintenance docks, and its purpose is to extend the life of the Tanzanian Navy’s fleet, as periodic maintenance of engines, structures, and equipment in dry docks is essential to ensure that any naval vessel is ready to carry out operations.
The western Indian Ocean is a link between Africa, the Middle East and Asia, and is one of the busiest trade routes in the world. The Tanzanian Navy has become able to enforce maritime law more effectively and support its blue economy thanks to improved readiness and speed of response.
The handover of the facility coincided with Exercise Cotlas Express, a joint military exchange in Tanga and the western Indian Ocean, in which naval forces from East Africa participated to enhance coordination in combating trafficking and enforcing maritime law.
At the exercise’s closing ceremony, Major General Ibrahim Mahuna, Chief of Training and Combat Readiness of the Tanzanian People’s Defence Forces, emphasized the role of regional partners in enhancing operational interoperability. He affirmed that Tanzania is one of the largest regional partners in maritime security and commended the ongoing cooperation between his country and the U.S. Navy.
The Citizen newspaper quoted him as saying: “This exercise was designed to involve several countries because the challenges we face in Africa are no different from those we face in other parts of the world.”
He added: “When we talk about terrorism, human trafficking and cybercrime, these are all global issues, and since we are afflicted with the same challenges, it is our duty to confront them together. But there is no way to achieve effective cooperation unless we train together, as operational compatibility is a cornerstone of our preparedness.”
source : ADF magazine
