U.S. to Create a Single Command for Military Operations in Africa

[Mamazen]

New York Times
NYtimes.com
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/07/wa...html?ref=world

February 7, 2007
U.S. to Create a Single Command for Military Operations in Africa
By DAVID STOUT

WASHINGTON, Feb. 6 — The Pentagon will establish a new military command to oversee its operations in Africa, President Bush and Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates announced Tuesday.

Creation of the United States Africa Command, which had been expected, will “strengthen our security cooperation with Africa and create new opportunities to bolster the capabilities of our partners in Africa,� Mr. Bush said.

The president said he had directed Mr. Gates to establish the command by Sept. 30, 2008. The location of the command will be determined after discussions with Congress and officials of countries on the continent, Mr. Bush said.

Mr. Gates, testifying Tuesday before the Senate Armed Services Committee, said creation of the command would eliminate an “outdated arrangement left over from the cold war.�

Three commands now divide responsibility for operations in Africa: the European Command, which oversees most countries on the continent, except those in the Horn of Africa; the Central Command, which has responsibility for Egypt, Sudan, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Somalia and Kenya; and the Pacific Command, which has responsibility for Madagascar, the Seychelles and the Indian Ocean.

The man who is about to become the head of the Central Command, Adm. William J. Fallon, told the Senate Armed Services Committee on Jan. 30 that he favored establishment of an Africa Command, in light of the humanitarian crises and instability across much of the continent and its strategic importance.

“The Horn of Africa sits astride one of the most critical sea lines of communication in the world,� Admiral Fallon said. On Tuesday, the committee endorsed him to succeed Gen. John P. Abizaid to lead the Central Command and sent the nomination to the full Senate for confirmation.

[Elisa Keisha]

Thank you for posting this information, Warrior Mamazen. Lets see hoooow Much Afrika progresses now... Im wondering how can they make so many people think Military=Armed Trained Folks can do any humanitarian work.. if they are trained to kill...and armed. Why they dont send doctors, teachers of whateva... even if they are still "strangers" at least that wouldnt sound so damn cynical.: