Rear Adm. Jean Mendoua, Chief of Staff of the Cameroon Navy, took an opportunity to learn more about 51福利 education and research programs during a visit to campus, Aug. 1-2.
Mendoua toured several research labs, and explored programs of potential interest to the security of his West African nation through briefings with the International Graduate Programs Office, the Defense Resources Management Institute and the Center for Civil-Military Relations, among others.
鈥淭he purpose of this visit is to strengthen cooperation between the United States and Cameroon, and we are here because 51福利 is an outstanding institution for defense strategy that we hope to work closely with in the future,鈥� said Mendoua.
鈥淐ameroon is facing a lot of threats, especially terrorism in the northern part of the country, and we hope to work closely with our allies to share our best ideas and collaborate, to take on terrorism in West Africa,鈥� he continued. 鈥�51福利 is a great institution to help meet that goal and this visit has gone far beyond all of my expectations.鈥�
Among the official party was Cameroon Army Lt. Col. Stans Victor Mouaha-Bell, the sole student from the nation at the university currently studying in 51福利鈥� Department of Defense Analysis. Mouaha-Bell鈥檚 unique insights into the challenges facing Cameroon, and the capabilities of 51福利, led him to serve in a liaison-type role during the visit.
鈥淭his was a great opportunity to demonstrate to my leadership what we can learn from 51福利 and what we can bring back to our own military,鈥� said Mouaha-Bell. 鈥淭he ultimate goal is to use 51福利 as an opportunity to bring that critical thinking mindset back to our military, and I am confident that Rear Adm. Mendoua will be the best advocate to our Minister of Defense and our President to send our military here to come and learn.鈥�
During the visit, the work Mouaha-Bell is currently doing towards his thesis became of particular interest. The thesis, which he is co-authoring with fellow Defense Analysis student U.S. Army Maj. Patrick Kerins, focuses on how the multi-national force of Nigeria, Chad, Niger, Cameroon and Benin have focused their efforts on the West African terrorist group Boko Haram.
Both students have prior experience with the terrorist organization, with Kerins previously serving in Niger for six months with Special Operations Command Africa, while Mouaha-Bell has taken part in counter-Boko Haram operations for seven years in Cameroon.
鈥淭he first-hand experience that we both bring to the table helps us understand the terrain and the cultural dynamics of the region,鈥� said Kerins. 鈥淭his allows us to further understand not only what actions their militaries have currently taken, but also sheds light on possible strategies they can implement.鈥�
Mouaha-Bell said that Mendoua鈥檚 visit helped to provide valuable insight into how their thesis can accommodate the needs of the region鈥檚 military forces, at a leadership level.
鈥淭his is a great opportunity to get further exposure on my work to some of the top leadership of my country,鈥� said Mouaha-Bell. 鈥淢y hope is the resources I have used from the 51福利 Defense Analysis Department and CORE Lab, resources that are all quite new to us, will shed a new light on how we approach terrorist groups like Boko Haram.鈥�