AFRICOM's Role in Africa
Abstract
Pursuing professionalism? is the question every African government should be asking its armed forces. Paradoxically, this question is the answer to Why do Africans dislike U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM)?, and the reason I started this paper. Even the most cursory research effort uncovers a litany of articles outlining opposition to AFRICOM. AFRICOM is the U.S. military command tasked with promoting democracy, good governance and solving transnational problems in Africa.1 Growing up in South Africa, I learned that Africans want to solve African problems without foreign interference. African resistance to AFRICOM made sense to me. The counter arguments resonated and I was expecting to side with the sentiment opposing AFRICOM. Thinking through this paper, I realized that in addition to the desire to solve problems, Africans need the appropriate tools. AFRCIOM provides the tools of professional education and military to military assistance to those countries willing to accept it. After considering the evidence I believe AFRICOMs strategy of professionalizing African militaries is the best approach to achieving the U.S. foreign policy goals of promoting democracy, good governance, and solving transnational problems in Africa.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2012
- Accession Number
- AD1020280
Entities
People
- Alan C. Hardman
Organizations
- Air Command and Staff College