AFRICOM Formalized
Great move by Gates on this one. The creation of an Africa Command will hopefully signal an increased security presence for this God-forsaken continent and with increased security, hopefully foreign investment.
Africa Command Geared Toward Stability
By Sgt. Sara Wood, USA
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Feb. 7, 2007 – The main goal of the new U.S. command in Africa will be to develop a stable environment on the continent to promote civil society and improved quality of life for the people there, a top Defense Department official said here today.
Africa, which represents 35 percent of the world’s land mass and 25 percent of the population, is growing in significance, and it is time for the U.S. to recognize its importance and consolidate efforts there, Ryan Henry, principal undersecretary of defense for policy, said in a Pentagon news conference.
“This command will focus on some efforts to reduce conflict, to improve the security environment, to defeat or preclude the development of terrorists or terrorist networks, and support in crisis response,” Henry said.
President Bush and Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates announced the establishment of a new unified command in Africa yesterday.
AFRICOM will integrate DoD efforts in Africa, which now are split among three combatant commands, and enable more cooperation with other U.S. government agencies, such as the State Department, Henry said.
“It is a continent and a group of nations who think of themselves from a continental perspective; they think of themselves as Africa,” he said. “One of the major reasons that it’s time to stand up Africa Command is for us to view the people, the nations and the continent of Africa from the same perspective that they view themselves.”
Many of the missions AFRICOM will perform will be non-kinetic, such as humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, Army Lt. Gen. Walter Sharp, director of the Joint Staff, said at the news conference. AFRICOM will have a strong emphasis on building the capacity of African nations through training and equipping African militaries, conducting training and medical missions on the continent, and supporting regional organizations like the African Union, he said.
Full article.
Africa Command Geared Toward Stability
By Sgt. Sara Wood, USA
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Feb. 7, 2007 – The main goal of the new U.S. command in Africa will be to develop a stable environment on the continent to promote civil society and improved quality of life for the people there, a top Defense Department official said here today.
Africa, which represents 35 percent of the world’s land mass and 25 percent of the population, is growing in significance, and it is time for the U.S. to recognize its importance and consolidate efforts there, Ryan Henry, principal undersecretary of defense for policy, said in a Pentagon news conference.
“This command will focus on some efforts to reduce conflict, to improve the security environment, to defeat or preclude the development of terrorists or terrorist networks, and support in crisis response,” Henry said.
President Bush and Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates announced the establishment of a new unified command in Africa yesterday.
AFRICOM will integrate DoD efforts in Africa, which now are split among three combatant commands, and enable more cooperation with other U.S. government agencies, such as the State Department, Henry said.
“It is a continent and a group of nations who think of themselves from a continental perspective; they think of themselves as Africa,” he said. “One of the major reasons that it’s time to stand up Africa Command is for us to view the people, the nations and the continent of Africa from the same perspective that they view themselves.”
Many of the missions AFRICOM will perform will be non-kinetic, such as humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, Army Lt. Gen. Walter Sharp, director of the Joint Staff, said at the news conference. AFRICOM will have a strong emphasis on building the capacity of African nations through training and equipping African militaries, conducting training and medical missions on the continent, and supporting regional organizations like the African Union, he said.
Full article.
posted by Will at 6:36 AM
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