In Africa, a step forward

On Tuesday, President Bush announced his approval of plans to stand up a new Unified Command (inter-service military command) for Africa – responsibility for which had previously been divided among three separate regional commands.  As the Center for Security Policy has long argued, this is a critical step toward improving the Nation’s security posture.

For decades, America’s inattention permitted the African landscape to become increasingly dominated by elements intent on using the region to undermine U.S. interests, a fact underscored recently by the narrowly-avoided establishment of a Taliban-style regime in Somalia.  The United States will, therefore, vastly benefit from streamlining and increasing through AFRICOM, as the command will be known, its national security efforts with respect to the continent. 

Critically, the President’s plan follows a Center recommendation that, although viable options do not presently exist, a proper strategy for engaging Africa requires placing this new command where it will have the greatest impact – in Africa.  As such, AFRICOM will initially be operated out of European Command – where much expertise on the region is currently housed – while Washington continues to work closely with its African allies to choose a location on the continent for the command’s permanent establishment.

The Center applauds the President and his visionary team for their decision to eschew America’s historical neglect of its security interests in Africa and engage in this vital front in the larger War for the Free World.