Defense Management: Actions Needed to Address Stakeholder Concerns, Improve Interagency Collaboration, and Determine Full Costs Associated with the U.S. Africa Command
Abstract
In February 2007, the President directed the Department of Defense (DoD) to establish the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) to help strengthen U.S. security cooperation with African nations and bring peace and stability to the continent. For this review, GAO assessed the following DoD actions: (1) efforts to establish the command and communicate its mission, (2) progress in integrating personnel from other U.S. government agencies into AFRICOM, and (3) plans and costs for establishing a permanent headquarters and supporting offices in Africa. In assessing DoD's efforts to establish AFRICOM, GAO analyzed relevant documentation and obtained perspectives from the combatant commands, military services, Office of the Secretary of Defense, Department of State (State), U.S. Agency for International Development, and nongovernmental organizations. GAO recommends that AFRICOM include three key elements in its communications strategy, seek formal commitments for interagency personnel, and develop a comprehensive assessment of the possible locations of its permanent command headquarters and offices in Africa. In responding to a draft of this report, DoD partially agreed with GAO's recommendations and noted that in some cases it was already taking action.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 01, 2009
- Accession Number
- ADA495792
Entities
People
- Amber Simco
- Grace Coleman
- John H. Pendleton
- Leigh Caraher
- Lonnie Mcallister
- Robert L. Repasky
- Ron La Due Lake
- Taylor Matheson
- Tim Burke
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office