Offices/Sections

Defense Attaché Office

The Defense Attaché Office (DAO) is the liaison between the US Department of Defense (DOD) and the US Ambassador to Gabon and Sao Tome and Principe. The DAO also represents the DOD in its relations with the Ministries of Defense of Gabon and Sao Tome and Principe. Below are the principle activities carried out by the DAO.  You can see more at the DAO Photo Gallery.  You can also see the Department of Defense website for more information.

IMET - International Military Education and Training

International Military Education Training (IMET) is a US-funded, worldwide program that sponsors military education and training for participating countries. The program enables Gabonese and Sao Tomean military officers to attend US military schools in Professional Military Education.

Humanitarian Assistance

The DAO has sponsored several humanitarian assistance projects in both Gabon and Sao Tome and Principe. See the DAO photo gallery for pictures of the most recent projects.  Additionally, in the past year DAO has delivered excess military medical supplies to hospitals and clinics in both countries.  In July 2005, the Ministry of Health in Sao Tome and Principe received an ambulance, a van, a pickup truck, and a generator as part of this program.

ACOTA - Africa Contingency Operations and Training Assistance

Gabon is currently the only central Africa country participating in the Department of State’s ACOTA program.  The program is designed to train and equip African militaries to participate in peacekeeping missions, with a major focus on training the trainer.

DHAPP - DoD HIV/AIDS Prevention Program

Gabon and Sao Tome and Principe participate in the DoD HIV/AIDS Prevention Program (DHAPP).  The program has provided screening, training, purcahsed testing kits, and distributed condoms and informational brochures.  The program is currently funding the construction of the voluntary counselng center.

Africa Center for Strategic Studies

Several times a year, the DAO in Libreville sends officers and civilian leaders from both Gabon and Sao Tome and Principe to topical seminars all around Africa and the US.  For more information see www.africacenter.org

The DAO also works on various other projects with both Gabon and Sao Tome and Principe.  For more information see the Embassy News or the DAO Photo Gallery.