Mr. Chair, members of the committee, I'm honoured to appear before you today. Thank you for this opportunity to update the committee on Canada's approach to Africa.
As you know, the Minister of National Defence announced Canada's updated defence policy, “Our North, Strong and Free” on Monday. As outlined in the document, the Canadian Armed Forces is making, and will continue to make, meaningful contributions around the world as part of coalition-based or multilateral initiatives, including in Africa, to help address growing global instability and advance Canada's foreign policy.
On the continent, our enduring commitment to United Nations peace operations and working in partnership with regional organizations like the African Union reflects the fundamental importance of these multilateral efforts to preserve international peace and security. To this end, the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces continue to maintain a variety of engagements in the region.
For instance, Canada currently provides staff officers to the United Nations mission in South Sudan, UNMISS, and the United Nations organization stabilization mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, MONUSCO. There are also 39 Canadian Armed Forces members currently deployed with the non-UN Multinational Force and Observers, MFO, in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula.
The Royal Canadian Air Force provides tactical airlift support to France in Africa under Operation Frequence and to UN peacekeeping missions under Operation Presence. We work with Ghana as our primary bilateral partner in Africa for the Elsie initiative, a Canada-led project that aims to increase the meaningful participation of uniformed women in United Nations peacekeeping operations.
We further maintain a network of eight Canadian defence attachés plus supporting staff to manage defence relations across the continent, both with regional partners and with our international allies. For example, in support of the Sahel, we continue to maintain bilateral defence relationships with coastal West African countries to help curb the spread of terrorism in the region.
I would also note that Canada is currently fulfilling the function of NATO contact point embassy for the African Union. Through this role we have had the opportunity to work with the department of political affairs, peace and security of the African Union Commission on its partnership with NATO.
Furthermore, DND and the Canadian Armed Forces deliver episodic capacity development training to several African countries through its military training and co-operation program, MTCP. These training courses include topics such as combat medicine and enable partners to function better together on peacekeeping operations with the United Nations and with other multinational organizations.
These efforts underpin our diplomatic efforts around the world, helping to uphold the international order and supporting our African partner nations. We remain committed to leveraging existing operations and initiatives to help strengthen their capacities.
Thank you very much.