A declassified report from 2023, made public under the Department of War’s PURSUE policy framework, describes an unresolved encounter with an unidentified anomalous phenomenon (UAP) over Africa. The document, released to increase transparency while safeguarding sensitive operational details, provides sensor data and contextual information from a platform active in the region at the time of the event. The report does not identify the object or offer a definitive explanation for the sighting.
Technical metadata embedded in the file indicates the encounter was recorded in 2023 and has been classified as unresolved. The exact geographic location and the specific type of platform involved have not been disclosed.
However, the document notes that the object displayed flight characteristics inconsistent with known aircraft or typical atmospheric phenomena. Sensor data included in the report encompasses radar tracks and optical imagery, though certain technical parameters may have been redacted in the released version. The object remained within the sensor’s field of view for a limited period before departing. The report does not describe any interaction between the object and the platform, nor does it indicate any threat to personnel or equipment.
The All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO), established within the Office of the Secretary of Defense, is responsible for analyzing such reports. Under the PURSUE policy, AARO coordinates the collection and assessment of UAP data across the Department of Defense.
Following this release, AARO may request additional data from the platform’s operators, interview personnel involved, and cross-reference the encounter with other sensors in the region. If the object is detected again, the office can task follow-up collection efforts. The PURSUE framework supports iterative analysis as new information becomes available.
This declassification follows a pattern of similar releases involving UAP encounters from various theaters, including the Middle East and the Pacific. The Department of War has stated that each report is evaluated individually, with the majority of cases eventually resolved as conventional objects or phenomena.
A small fraction, however, remain unexplained after thorough analysis. The release of the 2023 Africa report underscores the government’s commitment to transparency regarding UAP while maintaining operational security. AARO continues to encourage military personnel to report anomalous sightings through established channels to ensure systematic data capture and analysis.
