I would also add...
That had we even had symbolic support from the Embassy, we could have accomplished far more. Even in Sub-Sahara's heyday with 7 countries of accreditation, we as US Military felt out of place at the country team. Direction and financial support is but one minor element when implementing 7 million dollars with a 6-man team (with a hamstrung embassy of over 500 official employees and 2,000 locals)The headquarters' mission statement emphasizes interagency cooperation. AFRICOM "in concert with other U.S. government agencies and international partners, conducts sustained security engagement ... to promote a stable and secure African environment in support of U.S. foreign policy."
I'd rather not comment on that one at this timeInteragency cooperation — particularly State Department integration — is absolutely essential. That's why AFRICOM's deputy commander is a career Foreign Service officer.
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