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About the Office of Security Cooperation
3 MINUTE READ
June 1, 2022

The Office of Security Cooperation (OSC) at U.S. Embassy Lusaka is responsible for enhancing the long-term bilateral security relationship between the United States and Zambia. This primarily includes providing peacekeeping and military training, support, and services to the Zambian military, but also includes health assistance to other government organizations and civilian populations as needed.

There is one military officer assigned to the office at U.S. Embassy in Lusaka.

The OSC is responsible for planning and managing Department of Defense assistance programs in Zambia currently overseen by the Senior Defense Official/Defense Attaché, including the following:

  • HIV/AIDS Prevention and Support: Through the Department of Defense HIV/AIDS Prevention Program (DHAPP), the U.S. government supports the Zambian Defence Force with technical assistance and mentoring to prevent, manage, and treat HIV cases. With a current annual budget of over $12 million, this program has contributed more than $243 million since its 2004 inception in support of Zambia’s uniformed service members, their family members, and the civilian communities living near military bases and installations.
  • UN Peacekeeping: Through its Global Peace Operations Initiative, the U.S. government has invested over $9 million in assistance to train the Zambian Battalion (ZAMBATT) and support the Kenneth Kaunda Peace Training Center (KKPTC).  With an average annual budget of just under $500,000, assistance also supports training in peacekeeping for the Zambian Defence Force and most recently helped modernize the KKPTC. The U.S. government also supported the training of eight iterations of the Zambian Battalion in participating in UN peacekeeping missions.
  • International Military and Education Training: With an average annual budget of $350,000, the U.S. government has invested over $6 million in the past 15 years training the Zambian Defence Force in force management, modernization, and professional military education.