January 12 2012
U.S. Embassy's Stephanie Reed (middle) poses for a photo with two MDF female soldiers
Malawi Deploys a Second Malawi Defense Force Battalion to Ivory Coast
The Malawi Government through United Nations on Wednesday deployed 237 Malawi Defense Force soldiers for a peace keeping mission in Côte d’Ivoire. The battalion - called Malbatt II – will replace another battalion of Malawian peacekeeprs. When all soldiers have landed in Côte d’Ivoire, Malawi will have 858 troops in a composite battalion, including 27 female soldiers.
The United States Government, through Africa Contingency Operations Training and Assistance (ACOTA), provided pre-deployment training to the entire battalion. In addition to training, the U.S. Government also provided equipment and built a transit camp which can house an entire battalion at Malawi Armed Forces College (MAFCO) in Salima where troops camp when undergoing the ACOTA peace keeping training.
U.S. Embassy political/military officer Stephanie Reed joined relatives, families and friends of the deployed soldiers in wishing the troops “bon voyage” at Kamuzu International Airport in Lilongwe.
The first battalion (Malbatt I) deployed to Côte d’Ivoire in April 2011. Remaining Malbatt I troops will return to Malawi on January 14.