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US Officials Insist New Military Command To Benefit Africa
Darren Taylor reports via VOA:
United States relations with Africa entered a new era recently, when Washington’s military command for the continent, known as AFRICOM, became operational, and General William “Kip” Ward – one of the most experienced African-American soldiers in the US army – was confirmed as its first commander. For the next year, AFRICOM will be based at the US military headquarters in Stuttgart, Germany. The US administration says AFRICOM will train African peacekeepers. In addition, it says the command will assist in enhancing good governance in Africa and will help resolve conflict and respond to natural disasters. But critics say there are sinister reasons behind the United States’ decision to create a separate military installation for Africa. In the first of a five-part series, VOA’s Darren Taylor reports on the reasoning behind the creation of AFRICOM and the possible locations of its headquarters.
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Source: VOA
Related posts:
- AFRICOM will be Fully Operational by September 2008
- AFRICOM, US Military Command for Africa to Stay in Germany
- AFRICOM: African Officers to be Invited to Serve in New US Africa Command
- U.S. Africa Command Marks Startup of Initial Operations
- AFRICOM Starts Operation. “It would Bolster Africa’s Security Situation” – Expert [podcast]
- Open Debate: Does Africa Need AFRICOM (U.S. Africa Command Base on the Continent)?
- AFRICOM: Nigeria off the List
Muti This
Yinka of Lagos. | Oct 24, 2007 | Reply
I think those African nations against AFRICOM need to do a thorough soul searching. Security is a serious problem in several regions of Africa. America is its vast military resources, if used right, can be a benefit on the long round. I say bring them on!
Kaluba | Nov 16, 2007 | Reply
No soul searching required. Am from Southern Africa where SADC has said we will NOT have any AFRICOM anything anywhere over here. It is not needed. Will compete with the AID we get, will cause alot of tension. The fact that a component of AFRICOM has to do with keeping China out is worrisome.
While I agree that security is an issue in Africa, I beg to state that alot of that is a thing of the past. We have few hotspots: Far south-west, central and the horn of Africa. That counts as 3. These are mostly quailed. AFRICOM will come claim the success we have worked so hard to achieve.
Here in SADC we now have a joined defence force and a regional anthem. There really isn’t any room for AFRICOM or China here.