U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa
SETAF-AFRICA
About What We Do African Land Forces Summit

African Land Forces Summit

The African Land Forces Summit (ALFS) is a forum for senior leaders from land forces across Africa, the U.S. and other partner nations to solidify relationships, exchange information on current topics of mutual interest and to encourage cooperation in addressing challenges.


The African Land Forces Summit (ALFS) is the Chief of Staff of the Army's annual conference supporting U.S. Army activity in Africa.

Click here for additional African Land Forces Summit content on the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service (DVIDS).

ALFS 2024: Regional Solutions to Transnational Problems

Sponsored by the U.S. Army Chief of Staff and co-hosted by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) and the Zambia Army, ALFS 2024 brings together senior leaders from across Africa and other partner nations, April 22-26, 2024, in Livingstone, Zambia, to solidify relationships, exchange information and encourage cooperation in addressing challenges.

Plenary Session 1: Human Trafficking and Migration Impacts on Security

Presenters:

  1. Dr. Owen Sichone, Director of Dag Hammarskjold Institute for Peace and Conflict Studies
  2. Namatama Mildred Pumulo Sakabilo, Gender Advisor to SADC Mission in Mozambique (SAMIM)
  3. Blaire Harms, Senior Faculty at Institute for Security Governance (ISG)

Plenary Session 2: Environmental Effects on Regional Security

Presenters:

  1. Wendy Williams, Research Fellow, Africa Center for Strategic Studies
  2. Major General Abdul Ibrahim, Deputy National Coordinator National Centre for Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons 
  3. Mvemba Phezo Dizolele, Director and Senior Fellow Africa Program, Center for Strategic and International Studies; Adjunct Lecturer, Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies; and Host of Into Africa podcast

Plenary Session 3: Combatting Transnational Criminal Organizations

Presenters:

  1. BG Giuseppe De Magistris, CoESPU Commander, Center of Excellence for Stability Police Units
  2. Dr. Daisy Muibu, Assistant Professor of Security Studies, Africa Center for Strategic Studies
  3. Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Russell D. Howard, Distinguished Fellow, Joint Special Operations University

Plenary Session 4: Best Practices for Regional Security Collaboration

Presenters:

  1. Col. Mumbi Mulenga, SADC Anti-Terrorism Unit Commander, Southern African Development Community (SADC)
  2. Ambassador Rose Sakala, Zambian Ambassador to Ethiopia
  3. Dr. Prof. Kwesi Aning, Director, Faculty of Academic Affairs & Research, Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre

ALFS Playlist on YouTube 


ALFS 24 Infographic A4.pdf

ALFS 2023

ALFS 2023: Addressing Security Challenges through Civil-Military Partnerships

Participants in ALFS 23 will hear from renowned academics and non-governmental experts, as well as military members, throughout the week during five plenary sessions and five breakout sessions addressing a variety of topics.

ALFS 2023 Media Schedule  |  ALFS23 Infographic  |  SETAF-AF Fact Sheet  |  The U.S. Army in Africa

Plenary Session 1: Drivers of Instability
   Presenters: 

Plenary Session 2: Peacekeeping Operations in Africa
   Presenters: 

Plenary Session 3: Counter-Violent Extremist Organizations (VEO) Best Practices in Africa
   Presenters: 

Plenary Session 4: Command Teams
   Presenters:

  • Maj. Gen. Michael J. Turley, The Adjutant General, Utah National Guard
  • Command Sgt. Maj. Richard G. Thalman, Senior Enlisted Leader, Utah National Guard
  • Col. Grant Fawcett, Commander, 2nd Security Force Assistance Brigade
  • Command Sgt. Maj. Paul A. Fedorisin, Command Senior Enlisted Leader, 2nd Security Force Assistance Brigade
  • Col. Theophilus A. Dana Jr., Commander, 23rd Infantry Brigade, Armed Forces of Liberia
  • Command Sgt. Maj. William Tabolo, Senior Enlisted Leader, 23rd Infantry Brigade, Armed Forces of Liberia

Plenary Session 5: Drivers of Stability
   Presenters:


More in Media Room
US, Zambian armies host African Land Forces Summit in Livingstone
LIVINGSTONE, Zambia — U.S. Army Southern Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) and the Zambia Army held the opening ceremony for the African Land Forces Summit (ALFS) 2024 in Livingstone, Zambia, near Victoria Falls. Sponsored by the U.S. Army Chief of Staff, the 12th iteration of ALFS runs April 22-26, and brings together land force chiefs from nearly 40 African countries, other partner nations, academic thought leaders and government officials for candid dialogue about shared challenges. This year’s theme is “Regional Solutions to Transnational Problems.”
Read more
Land Forces Summit closes in Zambia, 2025 host named
LIVINGSTONE, Zambia — U.S. Army Southern Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) and the Zambia Army concluded the African Land Forces Summit (ALFS) 2024 today with a closing ceremony here. Sponsored by the U.S. Army Chief of Staff, the 12th iteration of ALFS brought together land forces chiefs from approximately 40 African nations, April 22-26, here near Victoria Falls, along with six European nations, Brazil and the United States. Joined by civilian and academic leaders, approximately 400 leaders discussed shared challenges and approaches under the theme “Regional Solutions to Transnational Problems.”
Read more
ALFS 2023 continues senior enlisted leader program
Originally intended to bring together African land force chiefs, or a country’s equivalent of the chief of staff of the Army, as the event has matured, so has its scope. In 2017, SETAF-AF and co-host Malawi first extended invitations to command senior enlisted leaders and their inclusion has continued for all subsequent summits.
Read more
More in Media Room
US, Zambian armies host African Land Forces Summit in Livingstone
LIVINGSTONE, Zambia — U.S. Army Southern Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) and the Zambia Army held the opening ceremony for the African Land Forces Summit (ALFS) 2024 in Livingstone, Zambia, near Victoria Falls. Sponsored by the U.S. Army Chief of Staff, the 12th iteration of ALFS runs April 22-26, and brings together land force chiefs from nearly 40 African countries, other partner nations, academic thought leaders and government officials for candid dialogue about shared challenges. This year’s theme is “Regional Solutions to Transnational Problems.”
Read more
Land Forces Summit closes in Zambia, 2025 host named
LIVINGSTONE, Zambia — U.S. Army Southern Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) and the Zambia Army concluded the African Land Forces Summit (ALFS) 2024 today with a closing ceremony here. Sponsored by the U.S. Army Chief of Staff, the 12th iteration of ALFS brought together land forces chiefs from approximately 40 African nations, April 22-26, here near Victoria Falls, along with six European nations, Brazil and the United States. Joined by civilian and academic leaders, approximately 400 leaders discussed shared challenges and approaches under the theme “Regional Solutions to Transnational Problems.”
Read more
ALFS 2023 continues senior enlisted leader program
Originally intended to bring together African land force chiefs, or a country’s equivalent of the chief of staff of the Army, as the event has matured, so has its scope. In 2017, SETAF-AF and co-host Malawi first extended invitations to command senior enlisted leaders and their inclusion has continued for all subsequent summits.
Read more
More in Media Room
US, Zambian armies host African Land Forces Summit in Livingstone
LIVINGSTONE, Zambia — U.S. Army Southern Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) and the Zambia Army held the opening ceremony for the African Land Forces Summit (ALFS) 2024 in Livingstone, Zambia, near Victoria Falls. Sponsored by the U.S. Army Chief of Staff, the 12th iteration of ALFS runs April 22-26, and brings together land force chiefs from nearly 40 African countries, other partner nations, academic thought leaders and government officials for candid dialogue about shared challenges. This year’s theme is “Regional Solutions to Transnational Problems.”
Read more
Land Forces Summit closes in Zambia, 2025 host named
LIVINGSTONE, Zambia — U.S. Army Southern Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) and the Zambia Army concluded the African Land Forces Summit (ALFS) 2024 today with a closing ceremony here. Sponsored by the U.S. Army Chief of Staff, the 12th iteration of ALFS brought together land forces chiefs from approximately 40 African nations, April 22-26, here near Victoria Falls, along with six European nations, Brazil and the United States. Joined by civilian and academic leaders, approximately 400 leaders discussed shared challenges and approaches under the theme “Regional Solutions to Transnational Problems.”
Read more
ALFS 2023 continues senior enlisted leader program
Originally intended to bring together African land force chiefs, or a country’s equivalent of the chief of staff of the Army, as the event has matured, so has its scope. In 2017, SETAF-AF and co-host Malawi first extended invitations to command senior enlisted leaders and their inclusion has continued for all subsequent summits.
Read more