Remarks by Charge d'Affaires Troy Fitrell at APS Graduation Ceremony

Beau Bassin, March 25, 2011:

It is an honor and a privilege to be present here today at the graduation ceremony of the Africa Partnership Station 2011 Training Hub in Mauritius.

Let me first start by extending our sincere gratitude to the Commissioner of Police and his staff.  Let me stress that this training hub in Mauritius has been a reality and a success due to the unflinching support of the Commissioner and the hard work of all his staff.  Also, heartfelt thanks to the Police Training School for receiving us here today and organizing almost everything that has happened this past week.

Today marks the close of five days of intense training for more than 80 participants from Tanzania, Kenya, Seychelles, and Mauritius.  Before I came into this room, I had the opportunity to talk to a few of the resource people and facilitators present, and all I’ve heard is praise for the enthusiasm and commitment of all the participants. 

This is the second consecutive year that many of the partners here today participated in the Africa Partnership Station Program . I would particularly like to recognize Major Keter of the Kenyan Navy.  Last year he was the APS Operations Officer and this year he is the Executive Officer and most senior representative of APS leadership here this week.  I trust that his advancement, the continued partipation of partner nations, and the expansion of participation all indicate that APS engagement is relevant to the requirements and needs of all of our countries. 

President Obama in his speech in Accra stated, and I quote: “Africa’s future is up to Africans...  America has a responsibility to work with you as a partner to advance this vision, not just with words, but with support that strengthens African capacity. When there's a genocide in Darfur or terrorists in Somalia, these are not simply African problems - they are global security challenges, and they demand a global response. And that's why we stand ready to partner through diplomacy and technical assistance and logistical support, and we will stand behind efforts to hold war criminals accountable. And let me be clear: Our Africa Command is focused not on establishing a foothold in the continent, but on confronting these common challenges to advance the security of America, Africa, and the world.” END QUOTE. 

As you know, the APS aims to strengthen emerging partnerships across Africa to increase regional maritime safety and security.  Maritime security is essential for global stability. Economic progress and development rely on trade via safe seas.  Seventy percent of the world’s surface is water, 80 percent of the world’s population lives on or near the coastline, and 90 percent of the world’s commerce sails across it. 

Maritime security in the region cannot be advanced without enthusiastic support from African states themselves, and that is what is what is on display here this week. The APS program has been built on the commitment of African states to stand up to the scourges of illegal fishing, human trafficking, drug trafficking, and the most prominent threat in the Indian Ocean today, piracy.  From what I have seen today, it is clear that APS is a winning program. 

Today we are honoring delegates from Kenya, Tanzania, Seychelles and Mauritius who have participated in courses in Vessel Board Search and Seizure, Search Rescue Planning, Fire Fighting and Damage Control, Physical Security, Non-Commissioned Officer Leadership, Combat First Aid, and Armed Sentry duties.

We are confident that the exercises and training which have taken place during the training hub in Mauritius have helped leverage the capabilities of all participants, and we are certain that our U.S. Navy has also learned a lot from you.  The U.S. government is committed to continue its support and cooperation with partner nations, and we look forward to more such collaborations in the future.

Let me end here by congratulating you for the success of your training.