The Commander of Combined Task Force 150 (CTF 150), Commodore Daryl Bates, Royal Australian Navy, has concluded a productive series of maritime security meetings with a visit to Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania.
After meetings with maritime leaders in Djibouti, Mozambique and Kenya, Commodore Bates met leaders within the Tanzanian Peoples’ Defence Force to foster established relationships and pave the way to greater cooperation.
In discussions between Commodore Bates and Brigadier General Rogastian Laswai, Commander of the Tanzanian Navy, both leaders agreed that co-operation across the security sector was vital to suppress those who wish to use the sea for illicit purposes.
Tanzania is not a member of the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), however, Brigadier General Laswai said he appreciated the work that the naval partnership is undertaking. He described how the reduction in piracy off the Horn of Africa was a result of successful collaboration between many navies and stressed how important such collaboration is to countries still developing their security forces.
In a meeting with Major General (Dr) Adam Simon Mwabulanga, Tanzanian Peoples’ Defence Force Chief of Medical Services representing the Chief of Staff to the Chief of the Tanzania Peoples’ Defence Force, Commodore Bates said:
“Our success is underpinned by our ability to work with regional security forces, and this visit is part of an ongoing engagement strategy. We are working to defeat a common threat, and by keeping the communication channels open, we nurture cooperation and identify opportunities to build capacity in the East African region.”
The CTF 150 command element is currently staffed by a team of 25 personnel from the Royal Australian Navy. CTF 150 is one of three task forces commanded by CMF.
Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) 