AFRICOM comes, but for whom and why?
Digital Congo commentary on AFRICOM's real agenda :rolleyes:
The author puts a brief positive spin on AFRICOM training the FARDC, but concludes their real mission concentrates on the protection of American miners against "possible predators". Citing instability in the east and discipline of certain FARDC units and their leadership.
More at the link...
How do France and the UK see AFRICOM?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Seabee
I wonder what the French think about this... ;-)
Seabee,
I cannot properly comment on the French response to AFRICOM, although as the French have stepped back from an overt, national military role and now look inwards to the EU an African role may have slipped out of the political "limelight". The debacle in Ivory Coast I understand was a particular shock to the expatriate presence across Africa. Note in the Ivory Coast peacekeeping was shared with a UN force.
The UK too has a low profile in Africa, with really only one military base left in Kenya, for exercises. We have stood aside from most UN / AU peacekeeping, Sierra Leone being the exception; although have contributed to security sector reform in a variety of places.
If the USA wants to play an active role with AFRICOM I suspect London is only too happy to see you learn, we might give advice but little of substance.
The crucial indicator for AFRICOM is the reaction of the African states and what recourse they make to its capabilities. Will AFRICOM participate, beyond logistics, in AU / UN peacekeeping? There are several key diplomatic players, not just Nigeria and South Africa; have any of them invited AFRICOM to overtly visit?
AU's regional force still on standby
Maybe not the USA's AFRICOM, but the alternative African Union forces in an IISS Strategic Comment: http://www.iiss.org/publications/str...ll-on-standby/
Ends with a direct comment:
Quote:
Meanwhile, AU peacekeeping operations will continue to be conducted by those countries that are willing and capable.
For Africa 'hands' this will come as no surprise, the AU suffers from the problems its predecessor, the OAU, had political declarations are rarely matched by real work and I am slightly puzzled by one nation's failure, Libya which has proclaimed its readiness repeatedly - IIRC with an article in the RUSI Journal.
Not that AFRICOM will "fill the gap".
Si tu veux la paix, prépare la guerre.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
M-A Lagrange
Stan,
300 well trained troops as legionaries/special ops or shock paratroopers are much more than enough to resist and secure almost anything in Sub Saharan Africa and give time to evacuate or bring additional troops.
300 troops is more than enough for immediate response to any threat against Wade and establish a "tete de pont" for bigger evacuation almost any where on the continent.
M-A,
It wasn't long ago Carl asked me what I would do with the DRC and I responded with the same... Sweep in with two companies and destroy everything :eek:
Regards, Stan
SFA in Africa, Training Video # 1
SFA in Africa, Training Video # 1
Entry Excerpt:
For the Tuesday morning, cubicle-imprisoned... A lighter post to help get you through the day:
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Read the full post and make any comments at the SWJ Blog.
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