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SETAF-AF Civil Affairs Team Drives Tunisia Toward Premier Security Exporter Status

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

As part of the US Africa Command, the US Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) has been enhancing training for the Tunisian Armed Forces (TuAF) in civil-military operations (CMO) in Tunisia. The SETAF-AF Civil Affairs (CA) Team Tunisia has been working closely with the TuAF to develop their capabilities in conducting CMO both within their borders and abroad during peacekeeping operations. The collaboration aims to strengthen Tunisia's national priorities, including fighting violent extremist organizations, disrupting illicit trafficking, and improving information-sharing through engagement with civilian populations.

Key Takeaways:

  • The SETAF-AF Civil Affairs Team Tunisia has been training the Tunisian Armed Forces in civil-military operations (CMO) in Tunisia since 2022.
  • The team has conducted a series of one-to-two-week CA courses with tactical-level units of the BFS and TuAF, focusing on civil affairs integration and building trust and relationships with local populations.
  • The Civil Affairs Battalion has expanded CA training to a three-week program of instruction for TuAF tactical BFS and conventional units, culminating in a field training exercise that emphasizes concepts learned in regional instability concerns and countering violent extremist organizations.
  • The train-the-trainer program aims to enable Tunisian instructors to lead civil affairs operations (CAO) and JOC-C courses at the BFS Special Operations Forces Center of Excellence, with US advisors providing support.
  • The transition represents a major step toward sustainable and independent civil-military capabilities, with plans to implement a train-the-trainer program to institutionalize CA training.

Statistics:

  • Since 2022, the SETAF-AF Civil Affairs Team Tunisia has conducted a series of one-to-two-week CA courses with tactical-level units of the BFS and TuAF.
  • The Civil Affairs Battalion has expanded CA training to a three-week program of instruction for TuAF tactical BFS and conventional units.
  • Seven BFS officers deployed to Cote d'Ivoire to support exercise Flintlock 2025 as part of the J9 CMO staff, marking their international debut in such a role.

Sources:

  • U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF)
  • U.S. Africa Command
  • Army.mil article: "SETAF-AF Civil Affairs Team Drives Tunisia Toward Premier Security Exporter Status"

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