U.S. ambassador visits reservists in Niger

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Chance Babin
  • 926th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
CAMP TONDIBIAH, Niger (AFPN) --  The U.S. Ambassador to Niger, Gail Denise Mathieu, visited here Aug. 17 to see 12 Air Force reservists who are treating local residents at the clinic.

Ambassador Mathieu toured the medical compound and visited each of the examining rooms.

“We are here because we have the opportunity to visit with a U.S. military unit (that) is working side by side with the Niger military to provide medical assistance for the villages of the greater Tondibiah area,” she said during a speech. “I am very glad to be able to present to you such an example of U.S.-Nigerien cooperation and friendship.”

Ambassador Mathieu stressed the value of the reservists’ two-week mission.

“We think it will have a longer impact in demonstrating the United States commitment to Niger in areas that extend beyond the traditional forms of aid and military assistance,” she said. “In this case, the U.S. military is here in its peacetime capacity to provide humanitarian assistance. Programs like the Tondibiah military clinic show that the United States and Nigerian militaries are strong partners who are working for the welfare of the people of Niger.”

For the medics, it let them know that their work was being noticed from outside the village limits.

“The ambassador’s visit highlights the importance that the U.S. government and state department place on humanitarian assistance … as a way of creating links with this country and friendship with its people,” said Col. (Dr.) Roger Santala, a physician from the 10th Medical Group at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo.

The ambassador emphasized that humanitarian assistance is one of her best tools in building local support among the people for the United States, he said.

“The United States military is a dynamic institution that conducts traditional military training and assistance programs for the Nigerian army,” Ambassador Mathieu said, “but they are also very much engaged here in promoting the values of democracy and stronger military-civilian cooperation.”

The dignitaries demonstrated the significance of the mission, Colonel Santala said.

“It’s very graphic how important this brief humanitarian visit is in our nation’s effort; that ultimately is a key element in the war against terrorism,” Dr. Santala said.