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US Africa command takes shape
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| 26 April 2007 |
By Nathan Hodge
The new US military command for Africa is beginning to take shape as officials articulate plans for an 'unobtrusive' presence on the continent.
Earlier this year, US President George W Bush announced the creation of US Africa Command (AFRICOM): a unified command that will consolidate US military activities on the continent, with the exception of Egypt.
The main focus of the command will not be military operations; rather, it will emphasise training programmes, civil affairs and the professionalisation of African armed forces.
A delegation of senior US officials recently visited Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal and South Africa to help explain and clarify the concept to African governments.
Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Ryan Henry said on 23 April that the visits were intended to clear up 'misunderstandings' about the scope and mission of the new command and better explain US strategy in the region.
"One [misunderstanding] is that [the establishment of] AFRICOM does not mean that there would be additional US forces put on the continent," he said. "It is an organisational and a staffing structure; it is not an operational entity. It will co-ordinate the efforts of operational forces but those would principally be in the areas of joint exercises."
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© 2007 Jane's Information Group
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