AFRICOM

• Author: admin
• Filed under: Uncategorized
• Date: Feb 22,2008

On February 6, 2007, President Bush directed the creation of U.S. Africa Command. The decision was the culmination of a 10-year thought process within the Department of Defense (DOD) acknowledging the emerging strategic importance of Africa, and recognizing that peace and stability on the continent impacts not only Africans, but the interests of the U.S. and international community as well. Yet, the department’s regional command structure did not account for Africa in a comprehensive way, with three different U.S. military headquarters maintaining relationships with African countries. The creation of U.S. Africa Command will enable DOD to better focus its resources to support and enhance existing U.S. initiatives that help African nations, the African Union, and the regional economic communities succeed. It also provides African nations and regional organizations an integrated DOD coordination point to help address security and related needs.

The focus of USAFRICOM’s missions will be diplomatic, economic and humanitarian aid, aimed at prevention of conflict, rather than at military intervention, according to Theresa Whelan, Assistant Secretary of Defense for African Affairs. Steven Morrison of the Center for Strategic and International Studies agrees that the new command holds potential well beyond military oversight. Rather, its mission could be defined by an interagency mix, focusing the efforts of intelligence, diplomatic, health and aid experts.

The territory of the command would consist of all of the African continent except for Egypt. Egypt would remain under the direct responsibility of USCENTCOM as it so closely relates to the Middle East. USAFRICOM will also consist of the following island groups;

• Cape Verde
• SĂŁo TomĂŠ and PrĂ­ncipe
• Equatorial Guinea islands
• Comoros
• Madagascar
• Mauritius
• Seychelles

Most of Africa will be transferred from USEUCOM with the Horn of Africa and Sudan transferred from USCENTCOM and the islands of Madagascar and Mauritius transferred from USPACOM.

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