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Military members from Tanzania, Uganda and Burundi prepare for simulated interaction with local media during the Public Information Officer Conference, hosted by Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Nov. 4, 2015. The exercise enabled participants to practice building report with media to promote mutually beneficial relationships.

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Photo by: U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Victoria Sneed 

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Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa Image

Members from the African Union Mission to Somalia and representatives from other partner nations listen to a presentation at the Public Information Officer Conference hosted by Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Nov. 4, 2015. The conference provided attendees a better understanding of how interaction with their audiences aids mission success.

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Photo by: U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Victoria Sneed 

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Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa Image

Multinational members from partner nations practice conversing with simulated local media during the Public Information Officer Conference, hosted by Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Nov. 4, 2015. The goal of the exercise was to learn how building a report with media members allows for positive future interactions.

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Photo by: U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Victoria Sneed 

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Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa Image

Members from the African Union Mission to Somalia listen to presentations at the Public Information Officer Conference, hosted by Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Nov. 4, 2015. The conference provided public information officers with a framework to communicate effectively with various audiences and garner support through different types of media.

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Photo by: U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Victoria Sneed 

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Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa Image

Members from the African Union Mission to Somalia, partner nations, United Nations, and the Department of State joined their U.S. military colleagues at the Public Information Officer Conference, hosted by Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Nov. 4, 2015. The conference enabled members from more than nine nations to gather and exchange best practices on achieving mission objectives in the information environment.

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Photo by: U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Victoria Sneed 

Military and civilian officials from more than nine countries gathered at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, to attend the East Africa Public Information Officer Conference, Nov. 3 to 6, 2015.

“The motto of the conference is ‘leveraging information to sustain operational success’,” said Kenyan Lt. Col. Paul Njugunda, African Union Mission to Somalia spokesperson. “This means if we use information properly, we will be able to assist our command in achieving its objective.”

More than 30 PIOs, civil affairs professionals and distinguished visitors from the Federal Government of Somalia attended the four-day conference hosted by Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa.

Subjects covered during the conference included the benefits of engaging media, combat camera capabilities and the effective use of social media and more.

“We learned the proper way to conduct a press conference from preparation to the end,” said Tanzanian Maj. Joseph Masanja, Peoples Defense Force information officer. “It is very beneficial to increase our skills to take home.”

The conference stressed the importance of timely and transparent flow of information to troops, media outlets and other audiences. Bolstering communication skills improves the ability to communicate effectively with their local populace and garner support through different types of media, which is particularly important for AMISOM troops deployed to Somalia.

“Through sharing information, the Somali people will understand what we do for them,” said Njugunda. “This way we will fight misinformation from al-Shabaab.”

CJTF-HOA and its partner nations share more than just the common goal of stability in East Africa; they also work to explore solutions and opportunities to collaborate across sectors, regions and organizations.

“Sharing best practices can adversely affect violent extremist organizations,” said U.S. Army Capt. Morgan Shepard, conference planner. “Communicating positively, honestly and quickly with the public is important to allow (partner nation) messages to be the prominent narratives in their environment.”