1 00:00:00,009 --> 00:00:02,349 The United States of America to the 2 00:00:02,359 --> 00:00:05,130 Republic of Angola and the Democratic 3 00:00:05,139 --> 00:00:07,250 Republic of Sao Tome and Principe 4 00:00:08,159 --> 00:00:09,159 doctor . 5 00:00:22,770 --> 00:00:26,389 Yeah , Excellency 6 00:00:28,149 --> 00:00:29,489 MS Carolina , 7 00:00:31,000 --> 00:00:34,340 president er president , I guess it's 8 00:00:34,349 --> 00:00:36,650 in English , a president of the 9 00:00:36,659 --> 00:00:40,529 National Assembly Excellency , Laurinda 10 00:00:41,369 --> 00:00:44,979 Cardozo , uh President of 11 00:00:44,990 --> 00:00:48,479 the Constitutional Court , uh 12 00:00:48,490 --> 00:00:50,450 Minister of State , 13 00:00:52,709 --> 00:00:56,360 uh General Furtado uh Minister of 14 00:00:56,369 --> 00:00:58,770 State , a Almeida uh 15 00:00:59,909 --> 00:01:03,470 Minister of State uh Dalva Rete 16 00:01:04,760 --> 00:01:08,410 Allen , members of the 17 00:01:08,419 --> 00:01:10,129 Angolan government , 18 00:01:11,830 --> 00:01:14,819 distinguished guests and all 19 00:01:14,830 --> 00:01:17,870 protocol observed . Ladies and 20 00:01:17,879 --> 00:01:21,190 gentlemen , good 21 00:01:21,199 --> 00:01:24,819 afternoon and welcome to 22 00:01:24,830 --> 00:01:27,699 this event . I thank you 23 00:01:27,849 --> 00:01:31,519 Angola's National Historical Archive 24 00:01:31,839 --> 00:01:34,949 and Director Constance dota 25 00:01:36,099 --> 00:01:39,610 for hosting us in this beautiful 26 00:01:39,620 --> 00:01:42,290 facility for this uh 27 00:01:42,300 --> 00:01:46,160 historic occasion this year . 28 00:01:46,660 --> 00:01:47,430 Thank you . 29 00:01:52,230 --> 00:01:56,169 This year marks 30 years of 30 00:01:56,180 --> 00:01:59,519 diplomatic relations between the people 31 00:01:59,529 --> 00:02:02,120 of Angola and the people of the United 32 00:02:02,129 --> 00:02:03,900 States of America between the 33 00:02:03,910 --> 00:02:06,589 government of Angola and the government 34 00:02:06,599 --> 00:02:09,539 of the United States of America . Today . 35 00:02:09,649 --> 00:02:13,289 As a continuation of that celebration , 36 00:02:13,559 --> 00:02:16,559 I have the distinct honor to 37 00:02:16,570 --> 00:02:19,500 introduce the first ever 38 00:02:20,330 --> 00:02:23,580 visit of a United States of 39 00:02:23,589 --> 00:02:26,910 America . Secretary of Defense to 40 00:02:27,130 --> 00:02:30,699 Angola . Secretary Austin is is a 41 00:02:30,710 --> 00:02:34,080 man who needs no introduction , but I 42 00:02:34,089 --> 00:02:37,889 will try anyway , but I want to briefly 43 00:02:37,899 --> 00:02:41,169 highlight his incredible 44 00:02:41,179 --> 00:02:44,529 career and the significance 45 00:02:44,949 --> 00:02:48,750 of this visit for the USA 46 00:02:48,759 --> 00:02:51,729 Angola relationship . Secretary Austin 47 00:02:51,740 --> 00:02:54,259 graduated from the United States 48 00:02:54,270 --> 00:02:57,160 Military Academy at West Point 49 00:02:57,240 --> 00:03:00,009 beginning , ladies and gentlemen , a 50 00:03:00,020 --> 00:03:03,619 41 41 year military 51 00:03:03,630 --> 00:03:07,139 career that took him from infantry 52 00:03:07,550 --> 00:03:10,880 officer to four star 53 00:03:10,889 --> 00:03:14,509 general . In 2021 President Biden 54 00:03:15,600 --> 00:03:18,929 asked him to return to service 55 00:03:19,600 --> 00:03:23,279 duty and service to return to service 56 00:03:23,289 --> 00:03:26,970 as a civilian to lead the men and 57 00:03:26,979 --> 00:03:30,220 women of our Department of Defense . 58 00:03:30,570 --> 00:03:32,919 And more importantly to build 59 00:03:32,929 --> 00:03:36,740 partnership with our friends and allies 60 00:03:36,910 --> 00:03:39,899 around the world including Angola . 61 00:03:40,860 --> 00:03:44,029 His visit to Angola highlights the 62 00:03:44,039 --> 00:03:47,729 shared security goals between 63 00:03:47,740 --> 00:03:50,710 our two nations , between our two 64 00:03:50,720 --> 00:03:54,380 people . It also reflects the growth of 65 00:03:54,389 --> 00:03:58,229 our partnership with increasing numbers 66 00:03:58,240 --> 00:04:01,410 of Angolan service members studying 67 00:04:01,419 --> 00:04:03,960 alongside their us counterparts and 68 00:04:03,970 --> 00:04:07,020 training shoulder to shoulder in 69 00:04:07,029 --> 00:04:10,000 exercises , whether here in Angola , 70 00:04:10,009 --> 00:04:12,539 whether in the United States of America , 71 00:04:12,710 --> 00:04:15,960 anywhere else in the world . This 72 00:04:15,970 --> 00:04:18,320 historic visit , ladies and gentlemen 73 00:04:18,410 --> 00:04:21,200 of Secretary Austin , our nation's 74 00:04:21,209 --> 00:04:24,239 highest defense official is a 75 00:04:24,250 --> 00:04:28,019 testament of the importance Angola 76 00:04:28,029 --> 00:04:31,720 holds for the United States of America . 77 00:04:31,820 --> 00:04:35,720 And our commitment to deepen our 78 00:04:35,730 --> 00:04:39,720 strategic partnership to assure 79 00:04:39,970 --> 00:04:43,359 security and prosperity 80 00:04:43,809 --> 00:04:47,459 to the people of Angola , Africa 81 00:04:47,679 --> 00:04:49,623 and the United States , the United 82 00:04:49,623 --> 00:04:52,989 States of America . So ladies and 83 00:04:53,000 --> 00:04:56,380 gentlemen , put your hands together and 84 00:04:56,390 --> 00:04:59,089 silence your phone , put your hands 85 00:04:59,100 --> 00:05:02,750 together and help 86 00:05:02,760 --> 00:05:06,029 me welcome to the podium . 87 00:05:06,239 --> 00:05:09,609 Secretary , United States Secretary of 88 00:05:09,619 --> 00:05:13,010 Defense Lloyd J . Austin the third 89 00:05:40,269 --> 00:05:42,325 Well , thank you ambassador for that 90 00:05:42,325 --> 00:05:44,690 very kind introduction and good 91 00:05:44,700 --> 00:05:48,470 afternoon , everyone . You know , this 92 00:05:48,480 --> 00:05:50,420 really is an outstanding crowd . 93 00:05:52,420 --> 00:05:54,970 Mr President , Ministers of State 94 00:05:55,820 --> 00:05:59,149 Ministers , justices , ambassadors , 95 00:05:59,429 --> 00:06:01,630 distinguished guests . Thank you all 96 00:06:01,640 --> 00:06:04,910 for being here today . It is indeed the 97 00:06:04,920 --> 00:06:07,200 honor of a lifetime to be here with all 98 00:06:07,209 --> 00:06:09,959 of you . And this is my first trip 99 00:06:09,970 --> 00:06:12,359 across Africa as a US Secretary of 100 00:06:12,369 --> 00:06:15,220 Defense . And it's also the very first 101 00:06:15,230 --> 00:06:17,563 visit . As you heard the ambassador say , 102 00:06:17,563 --> 00:06:20,040 the very first visit to Angola by an 103 00:06:20,049 --> 00:06:24,049 American Secretary of Defense . So it 104 00:06:24,059 --> 00:06:25,948 is especially fitting that we are 105 00:06:25,948 --> 00:06:28,820 gathered at Angola's National Archive 106 00:06:29,739 --> 00:06:32,679 because I believe that we can make even 107 00:06:32,690 --> 00:06:35,529 more history together and we can make 108 00:06:35,899 --> 00:06:38,149 even more progress together . 109 00:06:39,839 --> 00:06:41,880 My team and I arrived in Angola 110 00:06:41,890 --> 00:06:43,980 yesterday after some great meetings 111 00:06:44,299 --> 00:06:46,850 with our valued partners in Djibouti 112 00:06:46,859 --> 00:06:50,609 and Kenya . And I'm especially pleased 113 00:06:51,130 --> 00:06:54,730 to be wrapping up a busy week long trip 114 00:06:54,929 --> 00:06:58,730 to Africa here in Angola . Over the 115 00:06:58,739 --> 00:07:01,309 past few years , America's relationship 116 00:07:01,320 --> 00:07:05,119 with Angola has taken huge strides and 117 00:07:05,130 --> 00:07:08,269 Angola has become a highly valued , 118 00:07:08,529 --> 00:07:11,440 highly capable partner for the United 119 00:07:11,450 --> 00:07:15,440 States and a rising leader in 120 00:07:15,450 --> 00:07:19,350 the region and beyond . So we're 121 00:07:19,359 --> 00:07:21,440 deepening our cooperation with your 122 00:07:21,450 --> 00:07:23,869 government on military modernization 123 00:07:24,609 --> 00:07:28,480 and training and maritime security and 124 00:07:28,489 --> 00:07:31,519 medical readiness . And we're committed 125 00:07:31,529 --> 00:07:33,640 to working together even more closely 126 00:07:33,640 --> 00:07:36,230 on peacekeeping , climate , 127 00:07:36,239 --> 00:07:39,779 intelligence , space cooperation and 128 00:07:39,790 --> 00:07:43,570 more . So I'm here in Angola 129 00:07:44,339 --> 00:07:46,660 to strengthen that robust and equal 130 00:07:46,670 --> 00:07:50,329 partnership . But I'm 131 00:07:50,339 --> 00:07:54,019 also here to underscore an important 132 00:07:54,029 --> 00:07:57,579 point . And that is that 133 00:07:57,589 --> 00:07:59,149 Africa matters , 134 00:08:02,000 --> 00:08:04,111 it matters profoundly to the shape of 135 00:08:04,111 --> 00:08:07,070 the 21st century world and it matters 136 00:08:07,079 --> 00:08:09,290 for our common prosperity and our 137 00:08:09,299 --> 00:08:12,739 shared security . And Africa also 138 00:08:12,750 --> 00:08:15,630 matters deeply to the United States and 139 00:08:15,640 --> 00:08:18,570 to my boss , President Biden . And I 140 00:08:18,579 --> 00:08:20,679 can tell you firsthand that the 141 00:08:20,690 --> 00:08:22,523 president believes that Africa's 142 00:08:22,523 --> 00:08:25,380 success is crucial to all of our 143 00:08:25,390 --> 00:08:29,070 futures . You know , his passion for 144 00:08:29,079 --> 00:08:32,119 Africa goes all the way back to his 145 00:08:32,130 --> 00:08:35,820 days as a young senator . So 146 00:08:36,169 --> 00:08:38,340 when President Biden spoke to 147 00:08:40,280 --> 00:08:44,119 African leaders from 49 countries , he 148 00:08:44,130 --> 00:08:47,229 said it from the heart , the United 149 00:08:47,239 --> 00:08:50,559 States is all in on Africa's future . 150 00:08:52,260 --> 00:08:54,482 Now , the president also knows that the 151 00:08:54,482 --> 00:08:56,427 continent faces major challenges . 152 00:08:57,530 --> 00:09:00,280 Africa is on the front lines of many of 153 00:09:00,429 --> 00:09:02,929 the 21st century's most urgent shared 154 00:09:02,940 --> 00:09:05,890 threats , pandemics , 155 00:09:06,900 --> 00:09:10,539 food insecurity , the climate crisis , 156 00:09:11,340 --> 00:09:15,260 terrorism , the plundering of resources 157 00:09:15,369 --> 00:09:17,380 and the return of autocracy . 158 00:09:19,289 --> 00:09:21,456 But as I've seen firsthand this week , 159 00:09:22,479 --> 00:09:26,309 some inspiring , very inspiring African 160 00:09:26,320 --> 00:09:29,049 leaders and activists and change makers 161 00:09:29,489 --> 00:09:33,190 are on those front lines as well and 162 00:09:33,200 --> 00:09:35,580 they're confronting a whole range of 163 00:09:35,590 --> 00:09:39,580 big challenges . Head on . I'm 164 00:09:39,590 --> 00:09:43,130 thinking today of a young Angolan 165 00:09:44,159 --> 00:09:47,969 named Boa Fernando and I 166 00:09:47,979 --> 00:09:49,919 think is here with us today 167 00:09:58,619 --> 00:10:01,219 is an entrepreneur working to end food 168 00:10:01,229 --> 00:10:04,619 insecurity here in Angola . And several 169 00:10:04,630 --> 00:10:06,686 years ago , he received a fellowship 170 00:10:06,686 --> 00:10:08,797 from our State Department to study in 171 00:10:08,797 --> 00:10:12,619 the United States . So this son of 172 00:10:12,630 --> 00:10:16,059 Angola found himself in Iowa 173 00:10:17,750 --> 00:10:20,760 and Iowa is a state where the average 174 00:10:20,770 --> 00:10:23,219 low temperature in January is around 175 00:10:23,229 --> 00:10:25,559 minus nine °C . 176 00:10:27,780 --> 00:10:30,119 But Iowa is also a major producer of 177 00:10:30,130 --> 00:10:32,619 corn , a crop that's in high demand 178 00:10:32,630 --> 00:10:35,419 here in Angola . And Mr Fernando 179 00:10:35,429 --> 00:10:39,119 realized that he could use his skills 180 00:10:39,640 --> 00:10:42,380 and the relationships that he had built 181 00:10:42,390 --> 00:10:45,679 in Iowa to connect American farmers 182 00:10:46,000 --> 00:10:49,559 with Angolan consumers and bring corn 183 00:10:49,570 --> 00:10:51,599 from Iowa to the shores of Angola . 184 00:10:53,530 --> 00:10:55,363 And that's great for both of our 185 00:10:55,363 --> 00:10:58,719 countries . In fact , he was so 186 00:10:58,729 --> 00:11:02,630 inspired by his time in Iowa that 187 00:11:02,640 --> 00:11:05,169 he is now working to adapt the 188 00:11:05,179 --> 00:11:07,380 agricultural bus , agricultural 189 00:11:07,390 --> 00:11:10,419 business models that he saw there in 190 00:11:10,429 --> 00:11:13,960 Iowa to grow Angola's own food stocks . 191 00:11:14,150 --> 00:11:17,729 Now , that's a story of drive and 192 00:11:17,739 --> 00:11:20,489 partnership . So let's let's get out 193 00:11:20,500 --> 00:11:21,500 here 194 00:11:29,030 --> 00:11:31,030 and that's just a tale of one young 195 00:11:31,030 --> 00:11:33,400 person . But when you stack all 196 00:11:33,409 --> 00:11:35,809 together all the energy of this , of 197 00:11:35,820 --> 00:11:39,250 this country in this continent and when 198 00:11:39,260 --> 00:11:41,316 you add up everything that I've seen 199 00:11:41,316 --> 00:11:43,316 this week , well , I come away from 200 00:11:43,316 --> 00:11:45,482 this trip with a whole lot of optimism 201 00:11:45,599 --> 00:11:49,590 about Africa's future . As President 202 00:11:49,599 --> 00:11:51,929 Biden says , there's a fundamental 203 00:11:51,940 --> 00:11:55,059 truth of the 21st century that our own 204 00:11:55,070 --> 00:11:58,359 success is bound up with others 205 00:11:58,369 --> 00:11:59,700 succeeding as well . 206 00:12:02,309 --> 00:12:04,642 So when we all have a seat at the table , 207 00:12:05,859 --> 00:12:08,919 when we work as equals towards shared 208 00:12:08,929 --> 00:12:11,760 goals , when we listen and not just 209 00:12:11,770 --> 00:12:15,710 lecture , when we invest in our common 210 00:12:15,719 --> 00:12:19,210 security , then we have building blocks 211 00:12:19,960 --> 00:12:23,349 for a partnership , a principle and 212 00:12:23,359 --> 00:12:27,250 progress . The United States is deeply 213 00:12:27,260 --> 00:12:30,159 committed to making sure that Africa 214 00:12:30,169 --> 00:12:33,390 enjoys all of the protections of the 215 00:12:33,400 --> 00:12:35,840 international rules and norms that 216 00:12:35,849 --> 00:12:38,440 advance security and prosperity . 217 00:12:40,489 --> 00:12:42,433 You know , other countries may see 218 00:12:42,433 --> 00:12:45,739 African countries as proxies or even 219 00:12:45,750 --> 00:12:49,159 pawns , but we see African nations as 220 00:12:49,169 --> 00:12:52,539 partners . The Biden administration 221 00:12:52,549 --> 00:12:55,070 believes that the future is being 222 00:12:55,080 --> 00:12:58,280 written today in Africa 223 00:13:00,010 --> 00:13:02,066 and we want to move forward together 224 00:13:02,450 --> 00:13:04,617 through growing partnerships rooted in 225 00:13:04,617 --> 00:13:07,440 mutual cooperation and mutual respect . 226 00:13:10,640 --> 00:13:11,973 Now , you've heard this 227 00:13:11,973 --> 00:13:14,469 administration's commitment to Africa 228 00:13:14,479 --> 00:13:18,349 from President Biden , Vice President 229 00:13:18,359 --> 00:13:21,700 Harris Secretary of State Lincoln , 230 00:13:22,559 --> 00:13:25,250 the first lady and many more . 231 00:13:26,419 --> 00:13:29,229 But as the Secretary of Defense , I'd 232 00:13:29,239 --> 00:13:32,450 like to focus today on how we can build 233 00:13:32,460 --> 00:13:35,190 on defense partnerships that advance 234 00:13:35,200 --> 00:13:37,179 our shared security and extend our 235 00:13:37,190 --> 00:13:40,679 shared values . So I'd like to talk 236 00:13:40,690 --> 00:13:42,912 about how the United States military is 237 00:13:42,912 --> 00:13:44,912 working with our valued partners in 238 00:13:44,912 --> 00:13:47,429 Africa to make the continent and the 239 00:13:47,440 --> 00:13:51,109 world more secure , more open . 240 00:13:52,049 --> 00:13:55,809 And just , I'll talk frankly 241 00:13:55,820 --> 00:13:57,876 about the challenges that we face on 242 00:13:57,876 --> 00:14:00,630 security , counter terrorism and 21st 243 00:14:00,640 --> 00:14:04,090 century dangers . And I'll tell you why 244 00:14:04,750 --> 00:14:06,650 I'm so optimistic that our shared 245 00:14:06,659 --> 00:14:09,679 future is one of peace , prosperity and 246 00:14:09,690 --> 00:14:11,729 above all freedom . 247 00:14:14,039 --> 00:14:17,229 No , our military cooperation with our 248 00:14:17,239 --> 00:14:19,599 African partners today is far stronger 249 00:14:19,609 --> 00:14:21,553 than it was just a few years ago . 250 00:14:23,130 --> 00:14:26,799 We're working to deepen defense 251 00:14:26,809 --> 00:14:28,642 relationships that are rooted in 252 00:14:28,642 --> 00:14:32,380 equality and mutual respect . We're 253 00:14:32,390 --> 00:14:34,334 joining hands with new partners in 254 00:14:34,334 --> 00:14:37,239 building new coalitions to oppose 255 00:14:37,250 --> 00:14:39,260 aggression and uphold sovereignty . 256 00:14:41,010 --> 00:14:43,359 And we're , we're empowering our 257 00:14:43,369 --> 00:14:46,330 partners to pursue locally 258 00:14:46,469 --> 00:14:50,179 nationally and regionally led solutions 259 00:14:50,500 --> 00:14:53,020 to the dangers that they face . 260 00:14:55,369 --> 00:14:57,702 These threats include violent extremism , 261 00:14:58,880 --> 00:15:01,530 piracy , cyber 262 00:15:01,799 --> 00:15:04,200 vulnerabilities and climate disasters 263 00:15:05,400 --> 00:15:07,659 all too often made worse by weak 264 00:15:07,669 --> 00:15:10,299 governance and predatory institutions 265 00:15:10,849 --> 00:15:14,719 and persistent poverty . So we're 266 00:15:14,729 --> 00:15:17,609 determined to work with our valued 267 00:15:17,619 --> 00:15:20,799 African partners to develop the 268 00:15:20,809 --> 00:15:22,809 capabilities that they need to keep 269 00:15:22,809 --> 00:15:25,780 their people safe . So our 270 00:15:25,789 --> 00:15:28,979 Outstanding Us Africa command led by 271 00:15:28,989 --> 00:15:32,219 General Michael Langley provides a 272 00:15:32,229 --> 00:15:36,000 range of support to our partners in our 273 00:15:36,010 --> 00:15:39,609 in , in , in Africa and that includes 274 00:15:40,250 --> 00:15:42,139 professional military education , 275 00:15:42,729 --> 00:15:45,900 capacity , building , counterterrorism , 276 00:15:46,400 --> 00:15:49,219 logistics , and much much more 277 00:15:50,849 --> 00:15:52,960 to further grow the capacities of our 278 00:15:52,960 --> 00:15:55,859 African partners . President Biden last 279 00:15:55,869 --> 00:15:58,500 year , established the 21st century 280 00:15:58,510 --> 00:16:00,820 partnership for African security . 281 00:16:02,299 --> 00:16:04,940 This important initiative supports 282 00:16:05,429 --> 00:16:07,510 Ari's work up and down the continent 283 00:16:07,669 --> 00:16:10,429 from building up maritime capabilities 284 00:16:10,440 --> 00:16:13,039 and capacities in Djibouti to training 285 00:16:13,049 --> 00:16:15,440 alongside Kenyan forces on special 286 00:16:15,450 --> 00:16:18,760 operations . Now , many of our 287 00:16:18,770 --> 00:16:22,159 partnerships including with Angola 288 00:16:22,599 --> 00:16:25,859 focus on our expanding cooperation on 289 00:16:25,869 --> 00:16:29,780 maritime security . African coastal 290 00:16:29,789 --> 00:16:32,530 nations must be able to tackle threats 291 00:16:32,539 --> 00:16:35,940 at sea from trafficking and piracy to 292 00:16:36,190 --> 00:16:40,030 illegal and unregulated fishing . So 293 00:16:40,039 --> 00:16:41,983 we're working with our partners to 294 00:16:42,039 --> 00:16:45,630 block illicit activity to deepen 295 00:16:45,640 --> 00:16:48,780 interoperability at sea , to protect 296 00:16:48,789 --> 00:16:51,229 local fisheries and to keep the 297 00:16:51,239 --> 00:16:53,869 commercial shipping lanes free for 298 00:16:53,880 --> 00:16:57,799 everyone . Far too 299 00:16:57,809 --> 00:17:01,080 many Africans still face persistent 300 00:17:01,090 --> 00:17:02,812 threats from violent extremist 301 00:17:02,812 --> 00:17:06,500 organizations , terrorist groups like 302 00:17:06,510 --> 00:17:09,430 Al Shabaab and Isis 303 00:17:10,239 --> 00:17:12,900 deliberately target innocent civilians 304 00:17:13,000 --> 00:17:15,959 and wreak havoc on communities across 305 00:17:15,969 --> 00:17:19,069 the continent and their cruelty , 306 00:17:19,079 --> 00:17:20,959 propels waves of suffering and 307 00:17:20,969 --> 00:17:24,109 instability that spill across borders . 308 00:17:25,939 --> 00:17:28,439 So African security forces must be able 309 00:17:28,449 --> 00:17:30,869 to combat these groups and defend their 310 00:17:30,880 --> 00:17:32,991 sovereignty to protect their people . 311 00:17:34,920 --> 00:17:36,969 And that's a key focus for Africa . 312 00:17:40,000 --> 00:17:43,109 Last year , the United States re 313 00:17:43,119 --> 00:17:46,089 established a small persistent military 314 00:17:46,099 --> 00:17:50,060 presence in Somalia that has led 315 00:17:50,069 --> 00:17:53,420 us to do far more to advise , assist 316 00:17:53,430 --> 00:17:56,339 and train the forces taking the fight 317 00:17:56,349 --> 00:17:59,500 to Al Shabaab . And under 318 00:17:59,510 --> 00:18:03,130 President Hassan Sheikh Somalia has 319 00:18:03,140 --> 00:18:06,949 made important strides towards retaking 320 00:18:06,959 --> 00:18:10,040 its territory and disrupting the 321 00:18:10,050 --> 00:18:13,939 group's vicious attacks . We're also 322 00:18:13,949 --> 00:18:15,727 deepening our counter terrorism 323 00:18:15,727 --> 00:18:18,489 cooperation with Kenya and Morocco , 324 00:18:18,949 --> 00:18:22,660 Tunisia , Djibouti and many others . 325 00:18:24,290 --> 00:18:26,589 And the United States is helping our 326 00:18:26,599 --> 00:18:28,650 friends in Africa to build strong 327 00:18:28,660 --> 00:18:31,229 institutions and to tackle the long 328 00:18:31,239 --> 00:18:33,400 term forces that breed extremism . 329 00:18:35,810 --> 00:18:37,900 But we also take a broader view of 330 00:18:37,910 --> 00:18:40,880 security . You know , it's always 331 00:18:40,890 --> 00:18:44,569 easier to stamp out an ember than it is 332 00:18:44,579 --> 00:18:47,829 to put out a blaze . So we're doubling 333 00:18:47,839 --> 00:18:49,550 down on conflict prevention , 334 00:18:49,560 --> 00:18:53,150 especially through the US strategy to 335 00:18:53,160 --> 00:18:55,630 prevent conflict and to promote 336 00:18:55,640 --> 00:18:59,089 stability . We're working with seven 337 00:18:59,099 --> 00:19:01,680 African partners to find creative ways 338 00:19:02,239 --> 00:19:05,780 to prevent conflict before it starts 339 00:19:06,329 --> 00:19:08,500 and to invest in local locally led 340 00:19:08,510 --> 00:19:11,979 solutions to buttress lasting peace . 341 00:19:14,359 --> 00:19:16,560 One of our key partners here is 342 00:19:16,569 --> 00:19:19,430 Mozambique , whose president I just 343 00:19:19,439 --> 00:19:23,410 hosted at the Pentagon last week , four 344 00:19:23,420 --> 00:19:27,199 years ago , the Maputo Peace Accords 345 00:19:27,209 --> 00:19:29,949 sought to end the year long surge in 346 00:19:29,959 --> 00:19:33,810 violence and since then nearly all 347 00:19:33,819 --> 00:19:36,430 former combatants have been demobilized . 348 00:19:37,410 --> 00:19:40,420 And Mozambique is working to get former 349 00:19:40,430 --> 00:19:43,479 fighters integrated into promising new 350 00:19:43,489 --> 00:19:47,099 lives . Now , that work is far from 351 00:19:47,109 --> 00:19:50,079 finished . But it is an inspiring 352 00:19:50,089 --> 00:19:52,609 example of how a country can move from 353 00:19:52,800 --> 00:19:56,229 a fragile ceasefire toward lasting 354 00:19:56,239 --> 00:19:56,939 stability . 355 00:20:00,010 --> 00:20:02,066 Now , an important part of our peace 356 00:20:02,066 --> 00:20:04,329 and security work is bringing more 357 00:20:04,339 --> 00:20:05,979 women to the table . 358 00:20:08,900 --> 00:20:11,010 Women and girls often suffer 359 00:20:11,020 --> 00:20:13,520 disproportionately from war and 360 00:20:13,530 --> 00:20:17,010 conflict . But when women get to lead , 361 00:20:18,500 --> 00:20:21,579 when they can participate and 362 00:20:21,589 --> 00:20:25,040 participate fully as negotiators , the 363 00:20:25,050 --> 00:20:28,609 chances of a just and lasting success 364 00:20:29,569 --> 00:20:30,770 go way up . 365 00:20:39,369 --> 00:20:41,313 And so that's why Angola hosted an 366 00:20:41,313 --> 00:20:43,979 important conference on women , peace 367 00:20:43,989 --> 00:20:47,969 and security in March . Now , we're 368 00:20:47,979 --> 00:20:50,560 also working more closely with our 369 00:20:50,569 --> 00:20:52,660 African partners on several emerging 370 00:20:52,670 --> 00:20:55,239 threats and like the rest of the world 371 00:20:55,250 --> 00:20:57,180 life in African countries is 372 00:20:57,189 --> 00:21:00,609 increasingly online . So we've been 373 00:21:00,619 --> 00:21:02,452 working together to deepen cyber 374 00:21:02,452 --> 00:21:04,790 security for our friends as well as 375 00:21:04,800 --> 00:21:08,189 expanding cyber information sharing to 376 00:21:08,199 --> 00:21:11,020 help African countries fight the 377 00:21:11,030 --> 00:21:13,579 digital malice of outside 378 00:21:13,589 --> 00:21:17,099 misinformation and disinformation . 379 00:21:19,750 --> 00:21:21,972 We are also cooperating more closely in 380 00:21:21,972 --> 00:21:25,869 space last year . At the 381 00:21:25,880 --> 00:21:29,160 first US Africa Space Forum , we 382 00:21:29,170 --> 00:21:31,270 committed to working together on the 383 00:21:31,280 --> 00:21:33,589 peaceful use and exploration of Outer 384 00:21:33,599 --> 00:21:37,560 Space . And I am delighted that 385 00:21:37,569 --> 00:21:41,069 Nigeria and Rwanda recently signed the 386 00:21:41,079 --> 00:21:44,709 Auto Accords which lay out principles 387 00:21:45,079 --> 00:21:47,439 to guide space exploration and these 388 00:21:47,449 --> 00:21:50,959 principles are shared principles and we 389 00:21:50,969 --> 00:21:53,136 look forward to doing much , much more 390 00:21:53,136 --> 00:21:55,025 with our African partners in this 391 00:21:55,025 --> 00:21:58,520 important domain . We're also brought 392 00:21:58,530 --> 00:22:01,739 together by the ongoing battle 393 00:22:01,750 --> 00:22:04,099 against infectious disease . 394 00:22:05,640 --> 00:22:08,869 So we're redoubling our efforts on 395 00:22:08,880 --> 00:22:10,979 pandemic , the response and medical 396 00:22:10,989 --> 00:22:13,869 readiness . You know , 397 00:22:13,880 --> 00:22:17,880 COVID-19 taught the whole world a stark 398 00:22:17,890 --> 00:22:21,530 lesson . And that lesson is 399 00:22:21,540 --> 00:22:25,050 that a threat to global health anywhere , 400 00:22:26,130 --> 00:22:29,400 is a threat to security everywhere . 401 00:22:30,869 --> 00:22:33,199 So I am proud that the United States 402 00:22:34,250 --> 00:22:36,530 delivered some 403 00:22:38,800 --> 00:22:42,030 I think 2 million , 200 million 404 00:22:42,290 --> 00:22:44,770 vaccines . COVID vaccines to Sub 405 00:22:44,780 --> 00:22:48,109 Saharan Africa including nearly 11 406 00:22:48,119 --> 00:22:51,099 million to the people of Angola . And 407 00:22:51,109 --> 00:22:53,165 during the first months of the COVID 408 00:22:53,165 --> 00:22:55,560 pandemic , the Department of Defense 409 00:22:56,310 --> 00:22:58,540 provided medical , medical equipment 410 00:22:59,420 --> 00:23:02,810 and assistance 411 00:23:03,050 --> 00:23:06,250 to our , our partners here in Angola . 412 00:23:06,260 --> 00:23:08,482 And and we're very , very proud of that 413 00:23:08,482 --> 00:23:10,260 along with the work that we did 414 00:23:10,260 --> 00:23:11,930 throughout the rest of Africa 415 00:23:21,609 --> 00:23:24,010 also works regularly alongside our 416 00:23:24,020 --> 00:23:27,280 African partners to prevent outbreaks 417 00:23:27,290 --> 00:23:29,739 in stand up clinics and field hospitals 418 00:23:30,089 --> 00:23:32,079 and train for future crises . 419 00:23:33,750 --> 00:23:37,280 Last year . Right here in Angola , 420 00:23:38,069 --> 00:23:40,319 your armed forces hosted the first 421 00:23:40,380 --> 00:23:43,869 medical readiness exercises ever 422 00:23:43,880 --> 00:23:47,250 conducted in this country . And earlier 423 00:23:47,260 --> 00:23:50,530 this year in Kenya , us and Kenyan 424 00:23:50,540 --> 00:23:53,079 military medical personnel treated 425 00:23:53,089 --> 00:23:55,729 Kenyan patients together during a two 426 00:23:55,739 --> 00:23:58,699 day clinic . You know , one of our 427 00:23:58,709 --> 00:24:00,920 medics , one young American medic 428 00:24:01,270 --> 00:24:03,319 recalled learning from his Kenyan 429 00:24:03,329 --> 00:24:06,469 counterpart , a vital new technique for 430 00:24:06,479 --> 00:24:10,050 caring for expectant mothers . And 431 00:24:10,060 --> 00:24:13,800 that's just another example of the 432 00:24:13,810 --> 00:24:15,910 expertise that our African partners 433 00:24:15,920 --> 00:24:19,109 bring . Now 434 00:24:20,209 --> 00:24:23,449 that takes me to the climate crisis in 435 00:24:23,459 --> 00:24:25,979 this continent has seen firsthand how 436 00:24:25,989 --> 00:24:28,719 unpredictable weather in natural 437 00:24:28,729 --> 00:24:31,589 disasters and other fallout from 438 00:24:31,599 --> 00:24:33,930 climate change can produce poverty , 439 00:24:33,939 --> 00:24:36,489 instability and insecurity . 440 00:24:38,140 --> 00:24:40,029 So we're working with our African 441 00:24:40,029 --> 00:24:43,140 partners to grow your capacity to stand 442 00:24:43,150 --> 00:24:45,810 up early warning systems , improve 443 00:24:45,819 --> 00:24:48,459 resilience and strengthen emergency 444 00:24:48,469 --> 00:24:52,109 management . And A is working with our 445 00:24:52,119 --> 00:24:54,780 partner militaries to improve their 446 00:24:54,790 --> 00:24:57,489 readiness , preserve land 447 00:24:58,390 --> 00:25:01,339 and protect natural resources . 448 00:25:04,079 --> 00:25:05,912 There is a common thread running 449 00:25:05,912 --> 00:25:09,219 through these many areas of 450 00:25:09,229 --> 00:25:13,050 cooperation . I'll work together , 451 00:25:13,800 --> 00:25:16,660 supports our shared interest in a 452 00:25:16,670 --> 00:25:19,209 secure resilient and open Africa 453 00:25:20,089 --> 00:25:22,319 governed by laws and rules that allow 454 00:25:22,329 --> 00:25:26,270 everyone to prosper . And so the United 455 00:25:26,280 --> 00:25:29,020 States will never take your partnership 456 00:25:29,030 --> 00:25:32,839 for granted . The people of Africa 457 00:25:33,280 --> 00:25:36,010 deserve to chart their own sovereign 458 00:25:36,020 --> 00:25:39,619 paths . And so we aren't asking African 459 00:25:39,630 --> 00:25:43,020 countries to choose any side other than 460 00:25:43,030 --> 00:25:46,349 their own . You see , Africa deserves 461 00:25:46,359 --> 00:25:48,581 better than outsiders trying to tighten 462 00:25:48,581 --> 00:25:51,420 their grip on this continent . Africa 463 00:25:51,430 --> 00:25:53,949 deserves better than autocrats selling 464 00:25:53,959 --> 00:25:56,760 cheap guns and pushing mercenary forces 465 00:25:56,770 --> 00:25:59,390 like the Wagner group or depriving 466 00:25:59,400 --> 00:26:02,000 grain from hungry people around the 467 00:26:02,010 --> 00:26:05,670 world . President Biden has 468 00:26:05,680 --> 00:26:08,520 said the future will belong to those 469 00:26:08,530 --> 00:26:12,020 who embrace dignity and not trample it . 470 00:26:14,170 --> 00:26:17,839 So we want our work together to produce 471 00:26:17,849 --> 00:26:20,949 lasting security and not a brittle 472 00:26:20,959 --> 00:26:24,939 status quo . And we can all see the 473 00:26:24,949 --> 00:26:27,250 damage when leaders turn predatory , 474 00:26:27,359 --> 00:26:30,520 predatory or institutions grab 475 00:26:30,530 --> 00:26:32,170 resources for themselves 476 00:26:35,040 --> 00:26:38,660 for lasting success . African 477 00:26:38,670 --> 00:26:42,469 countries need responsive , transparent 478 00:26:42,839 --> 00:26:46,079 and civilian led institutions that 479 00:26:46,089 --> 00:26:49,119 uphold human rights and defend the rule 480 00:26:49,130 --> 00:26:51,920 of law and work for all other people . 481 00:27:00,310 --> 00:27:03,199 And Africa needs civilian leaders who 482 00:27:03,209 --> 00:27:06,239 keep faith with their citizens and heed 483 00:27:06,250 --> 00:27:09,780 their voices . As President 484 00:27:09,790 --> 00:27:12,709 Obama said in Ghana in 2009 , 485 00:27:14,280 --> 00:27:17,130 Africa doesn't need strong men , it 486 00:27:17,140 --> 00:27:19,410 needs strong institutions . 487 00:27:21,619 --> 00:27:23,675 So the United States is committed to 488 00:27:23,680 --> 00:27:26,400 supporting whole of government policies 489 00:27:26,959 --> 00:27:30,069 and advance peace , security 490 00:27:30,800 --> 00:27:33,089 and democratic governance together . 491 00:27:34,209 --> 00:27:37,750 And those elements are inseparable . 492 00:27:39,689 --> 00:27:42,079 And that's especially important at this 493 00:27:42,089 --> 00:27:45,040 moment , this moment of profound 494 00:27:45,050 --> 00:27:46,939 challenge for democracy in Africa 495 00:27:48,489 --> 00:27:50,378 across the continent . We've seen 496 00:27:50,378 --> 00:27:52,267 Autocrats undermine free and fair 497 00:27:52,267 --> 00:27:54,650 elections and block peaceful 498 00:27:54,660 --> 00:27:58,640 transitions of power . Now , some of 499 00:27:58,650 --> 00:28:00,500 you may know and you heard the 500 00:28:00,510 --> 00:28:04,260 ambassador say I had a brief 41 year 501 00:28:04,270 --> 00:28:06,890 career in the US army uniform . 502 00:28:10,060 --> 00:28:13,540 And every day of those 41 years taught 503 00:28:13,550 --> 00:28:17,250 me the importance of civilian control 504 00:28:17,260 --> 00:28:20,859 of the military . So let me be 505 00:28:20,869 --> 00:28:23,880 blunt when generals 506 00:28:23,890 --> 00:28:27,489 overturn the will of the people and put 507 00:28:27,500 --> 00:28:29,930 their own ambitions above the rule of 508 00:28:29,939 --> 00:28:33,390 law , security suffers and 509 00:28:33,400 --> 00:28:35,500 democracy dies 510 00:28:45,219 --> 00:28:47,810 as a Biden administration strategy for 511 00:28:47,819 --> 00:28:49,869 Sub Saharan African notes 512 00:28:51,500 --> 00:28:53,719 effective legitimate and accountable 513 00:28:53,729 --> 00:28:56,130 militaries and other security forces 514 00:28:57,170 --> 00:29:00,189 are essential to support open 515 00:29:00,479 --> 00:29:04,180 democratic and resilient societies and 516 00:29:04,189 --> 00:29:08,050 to counter destabilizing threats or to 517 00:29:08,060 --> 00:29:11,890 put it more bluntly , militaries exist 518 00:29:11,900 --> 00:29:15,459 to defend their people and not to defy 519 00:29:15,469 --> 00:29:18,790 them . And Africa needs militaries that 520 00:29:18,800 --> 00:29:21,650 serve their citizens and not the other 521 00:29:21,660 --> 00:29:22,660 way around . 522 00:29:31,239 --> 00:29:34,089 And that will remain a core principle 523 00:29:34,099 --> 00:29:35,932 of America's engagement with our 524 00:29:35,932 --> 00:29:39,339 African partners . So we will continue 525 00:29:39,349 --> 00:29:41,516 to invest in professional civilian led 526 00:29:41,516 --> 00:29:44,920 militaries . We will work together to 527 00:29:44,930 --> 00:29:47,589 deepen the norms against toppling 528 00:29:47,599 --> 00:29:50,020 democratic governments . And we will be 529 00:29:50,030 --> 00:29:52,390 candid with our partners when their 530 00:29:52,400 --> 00:29:55,060 security institutions fall short of 531 00:29:55,069 --> 00:29:58,209 those universal standards . You know , 532 00:29:58,219 --> 00:30:01,459 this isn't easy , but it is the 533 00:30:01,469 --> 00:30:05,239 best and shortest path to lasting 534 00:30:05,250 --> 00:30:08,790 peace and prosperity . It is a path 535 00:30:08,800 --> 00:30:10,911 that millions of men and women across 536 00:30:10,911 --> 00:30:14,589 this continent have freely chosen . And 537 00:30:14,599 --> 00:30:17,760 the United States is proud to stand 538 00:30:18,150 --> 00:30:22,030 with all those who seek free open 539 00:30:22,329 --> 00:30:24,496 and democratic governments in Africa . 540 00:30:29,880 --> 00:30:32,213 Ladies and gentlemen , I've been deeply , 541 00:30:32,260 --> 00:30:35,939 deeply moved by the hospitality , 542 00:30:36,810 --> 00:30:39,069 the leadership and the idealism that 543 00:30:39,079 --> 00:30:42,349 I've witnessed this week . I'm also 544 00:30:42,359 --> 00:30:46,140 moved to be here today at a site that 545 00:30:46,150 --> 00:30:49,619 enshrines Angola's past , both the 546 00:30:49,630 --> 00:30:53,560 glory and the grief . You 547 00:30:53,569 --> 00:30:55,869 know , it's very American to believe 548 00:30:55,880 --> 00:30:58,250 that hope can be stronger than history . 549 00:30:59,459 --> 00:31:03,369 But it's also very African . We all 550 00:31:03,380 --> 00:31:05,547 know that the United States and Angola 551 00:31:06,310 --> 00:31:08,643 were first connected by the slave trade . 552 00:31:10,380 --> 00:31:14,150 And four centuries ago , slavers from 553 00:31:14,160 --> 00:31:17,650 far away , put the men and women and 554 00:31:17,660 --> 00:31:21,170 Children of this country into 555 00:31:21,180 --> 00:31:25,060 shackles . People who looked just 556 00:31:25,069 --> 00:31:29,000 like you and me and the horrors 557 00:31:29,010 --> 00:31:32,189 of slavery will always be a part of the 558 00:31:32,199 --> 00:31:35,250 shared history of our two countries and 559 00:31:35,260 --> 00:31:38,969 we must never forget them . And 560 00:31:38,979 --> 00:31:42,800 today our countries are joined in very 561 00:31:42,810 --> 00:31:46,630 different ways and by our shared 562 00:31:46,640 --> 00:31:48,900 dream of a bright future that can help 563 00:31:48,910 --> 00:31:52,869 to heal the agony of the past and 564 00:31:52,880 --> 00:31:56,219 today , the ocean that once carried 565 00:31:56,229 --> 00:31:58,609 desperate and enslaved people from 566 00:31:58,619 --> 00:32:02,449 Angola to America has become a basin 567 00:32:02,459 --> 00:32:06,430 of peaceful cooperation . And 568 00:32:06,439 --> 00:32:09,689 last year , the United States and 569 00:32:09,699 --> 00:32:12,339 Angola were two of the 18 countries 570 00:32:12,349 --> 00:32:14,293 that signed the joint statement on 571 00:32:14,293 --> 00:32:16,619 Atlantic cooperation , declaring our 572 00:32:16,630 --> 00:32:18,800 shared commitment to a vast region of 573 00:32:18,810 --> 00:32:20,869 law , conservation and peace . 574 00:32:23,329 --> 00:32:25,969 We know that the walk to freedom can be 575 00:32:25,979 --> 00:32:29,849 long and no one gets it right 576 00:32:29,859 --> 00:32:33,430 all of the time . You know , I love my 577 00:32:33,439 --> 00:32:35,630 country so much that I fought for it . 578 00:32:37,930 --> 00:32:41,339 But , but America isn't trying to cover 579 00:32:41,349 --> 00:32:44,060 up for our imperfections when a 580 00:32:44,069 --> 00:32:47,319 democracy falls short when it falls 581 00:32:47,329 --> 00:32:49,989 short of its best traditions . As we 582 00:32:50,000 --> 00:32:53,849 all sometimes do , the whole world gets 583 00:32:53,859 --> 00:32:57,630 to see it . But that's not the point . 584 00:32:58,930 --> 00:33:01,469 The genius of a democracy is not that 585 00:33:01,479 --> 00:33:04,219 it's perfect . The genius of a 586 00:33:04,229 --> 00:33:07,339 democracy is that it can always open up 587 00:33:07,349 --> 00:33:09,571 space for it to let its citizens strive 588 00:33:09,571 --> 00:33:13,329 to live the universal values of freedom 589 00:33:13,339 --> 00:33:15,506 and self government and human rights . 590 00:33:17,000 --> 00:33:20,239 And the genius of a democracy 591 00:33:21,119 --> 00:33:24,050 is that it is always a work in progress 592 00:33:25,589 --> 00:33:29,310 and that's personal for me . I am a 593 00:33:29,319 --> 00:33:32,660 child of America's segregated South . 594 00:33:33,900 --> 00:33:36,670 I grew up in a time of legalized and 595 00:33:36,680 --> 00:33:38,989 racist segregation in America . 596 00:33:40,630 --> 00:33:43,800 And I stand here today in Africa 597 00:33:44,719 --> 00:33:48,609 as America's first black Secretary of 598 00:33:48,619 --> 00:33:49,310 Defense . 599 00:34:10,428 --> 00:34:13,358 So I believe with all my soul 600 00:34:14,540 --> 00:34:16,373 in the progress that we can make 601 00:34:16,373 --> 00:34:19,709 together . I've seen 602 00:34:19,719 --> 00:34:22,239 institutions move from discrimination 603 00:34:22,250 --> 00:34:26,000 to democracy . I've seen leaders 604 00:34:26,010 --> 00:34:28,219 learn powerful lessons from the tragic 605 00:34:28,229 --> 00:34:32,079 past and I've seen democracy 606 00:34:32,089 --> 00:34:36,089 become a mighty engine for its own 607 00:34:36,099 --> 00:34:39,500 renewal . Now , my 608 00:34:39,510 --> 00:34:42,280 story is not your story 609 00:34:43,699 --> 00:34:46,719 in my country's journey is not your 610 00:34:46,729 --> 00:34:49,729 country's journey . But I , I believe 611 00:34:49,739 --> 00:34:52,628 to my core that our dreams are shared 612 00:34:52,638 --> 00:34:54,229 and our futures are linked 613 00:34:58,439 --> 00:35:01,540 in 1966 . One of my 614 00:35:01,550 --> 00:35:04,300 heroes , Robert F Kennedy traveled to 615 00:35:04,310 --> 00:35:07,350 Cape Town some 2000 miles south of here 616 00:35:08,760 --> 00:35:12,409 and he said , nations 617 00:35:12,479 --> 00:35:16,290 like men often march to the beat 618 00:35:16,300 --> 00:35:19,889 of different drummers . And the 619 00:35:19,899 --> 00:35:22,066 precise solutions of the United States 620 00:35:22,066 --> 00:35:24,479 can neither be dictated nor 621 00:35:24,489 --> 00:35:28,419 transplanted to others . But what is 622 00:35:28,429 --> 00:35:32,270 important is that all nations must 623 00:35:32,280 --> 00:35:35,489 march toward increasing freedom and 624 00:35:35,500 --> 00:35:37,909 toward justice for all and toward a 625 00:35:37,919 --> 00:35:40,949 society , strong and flexible enough to 626 00:35:40,959 --> 00:35:43,181 meet the demands of all of its people , 627 00:35:43,669 --> 00:35:47,100 whatever their race and the demands of 628 00:35:47,110 --> 00:35:50,250 the world of immense and dizzying 629 00:35:50,260 --> 00:35:52,729 change that face us all . 630 00:35:55,929 --> 00:35:58,096 Now , ever since Senator Kennedy spoke 631 00:35:58,096 --> 00:36:01,899 those words , the immense and dizzying 632 00:36:01,909 --> 00:36:05,530 change that he described has only sped 633 00:36:05,540 --> 00:36:09,199 up and there is one clear way 634 00:36:10,020 --> 00:36:12,929 to confront that change and that is 635 00:36:12,939 --> 00:36:16,469 together . So in the years ahead , 636 00:36:16,979 --> 00:36:20,800 let us stand together as equal partners . 637 00:36:21,739 --> 00:36:23,929 Let us work together on the great 638 00:36:23,939 --> 00:36:27,199 security challenges of our times and 639 00:36:27,209 --> 00:36:30,129 let us march together toward increasing 640 00:36:30,139 --> 00:36:33,000 freedom and justice for all . 641 00:36:34,580 --> 00:36:37,120 Thank you very much and many , many 642 00:36:37,129 --> 00:36:39,290 thanks for your tremendous hospitality .