Gabon joins State Partnership Program as new member

State Partnership Program (SPP), a US-sponsored security cooperation program, has announced the three members including Gabon.
Established in 1993, the SPP is run by the Air National Guard and now involves more than 45% of the world’s countries.
The program according to the Air National Guard supports the security cooperation objectives of the United States and the geographic combatant commands by developing enduring relationships with partner countries and carrying out activities to build partner capacity, improve interoperability, and enhance U.S. access and influence, while increasing the readiness of U.S. and partner forces to meet emerging challenges.
The program creates strong, strategic partnerships through military-to-military engagements, exercises and key leader engagements. The relationships often lead to co-deployments and close civil, government and commerce ties. “We don’t come with preconditions,” Army Gen. Daniel Hokanson, National Guard Bureau chief said.
“We have no hidden agenda. We’re here to advance whatever is best for both America and our allies and partners, based on shared values and common interests.” Aside from Gabon, Malawi and Zambia have joined the program making in total 20 African countries as members.