On September 17, U.S. Ambassador Alfonso Lenhardt participated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony inaugurating the Tanzania People's Defence Force (TPDF) Maritime Surveillance System at the TPDF Kigomboni Naval Base in Dar es Salaam. The American People have provided $1,000,000 USD in equipment and training support to this project, which allows critical information sharing among port authorities, maritime police, and the Tanzanian military to increase maritime security. TPDF Navy Commander, Major General Saidi Shaaban Omar hosted the event.
"In recent years we have all come to understand what is meant by maritime security and the harmful consequences of the lack of such security. East African nations, indeed the world, have learned bitter lessons on this subject. Both coastal and inland states have seen their vital trade links threatened as ships bearing goods to and from the region have come under attack from seaborne criminals," remarked Ambassador Lenhardt.
In addition, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) contributed about $200,000 to the project. Mr. Helmut Hesse, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Maritime Security and Anti-Piracy Programmes, provided some remarks at the ceremony. Rear Admiral Joseph Rixey, Director of the U.S. Navy International Programs Office, was also in attendance.
Ambassador Lenhardt stated that as strategic partners the United States of America and the United Republic of Tanzania common interests are met with the addition of the Maritime Surveillance System. "It is a powerful tool in combating national and transnational maritime threats and can allow for vibrant maritime commerce and protection."
The United States is committed to future projects which address maritime security in Tanzania, such as "Cutlass Express," an upcoming maritime domain awareness exercise sponsored by the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) that will focus on combating piracy through information sharing and coordinated operations among East African navies.
Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony, members of the TPDF Navy provided a live operational demonstration of the new system's capabilities.
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