Canadian Army personnel to deploy to Morocco in support of Exercise AFRICAN LION
News Release
April 14, 2016 – Ottawa – Department of National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces
From April 18 to 28, 2016, members from the Canadian Army will be supporting UN-mandated training activities taking place in Agadir, Morocco, during Exercise AFRICAN LION 2016. Nine Canadian Armed Forces officers, including members from the Canadian Army, will be working with participants from 11 nations to advance multinational interoperability and capacity building in the context of peace support following a potential regional crisis.
Representatives from Belgium, Germany, Italy, Mauritania, the Netherlands, Spain, Senegal, Tunisia, the United Kingdom, and the United States are anticipated to participate in various field training and command post simulations in Exercise AFRICAN LION 2016.
Quote
“Canada’s participation in Exercise AFRICAN LION 2016 demonstrates our commitment to preserving peace and responding to humanitarian crises world-wide. As members of a United Nations-mandated task force, Canadian Armed Forces representatives will apply their exceptional skills and expertise to help enhance interoperability among our allies and build critical capacity among participating nations.”
Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of National Defence
Quick Facts
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Exercise AFRICAN LION is the largest multinational exercise on the African continent and involves land, air, and naval contingents. It aims to test joint, interagency, and multinational partner ability to conduct peace operations and enhance regional relationships.
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This type of training provides an opportunity for the Canadian Army to reinforce cooperation with multinational forces, strengthen its defence capabilities, maintain strategic posture, and prepare to respond to crises on the African continent.
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Activities during Exercise AFRICAN LION 2016 will include crisis action planning and operations in accordance with UN standards for peace operations, such as the protection of civilians and countering gender-based violence and illicit trafficking, as well as training participating nations in the laws of armed conflict.
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Contacts
Jordan Owens
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of National Defence
613-996-3100
Media Relations
Department of National Defence
Phone: 613-996-2353
Toll-Free: 1-866-377-0811
Email: mlo-blm@forces.gc.ca
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Hon. Harjit Singh Sajjan National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces Military