The focus of the United States Africa Command, (AFRICOM) based in Stuttgart, Germany, is to professionalize the various militaries of Africa and assist them to know their roles in the democracies of their countries.
Ambassador J. Anthony Holmes, Deputy to the Commander for Civil-Military Activities to AFRICOM, said, "We get upset about coups in any
African country since these individual armies especially the military are there to assist in protecting the interests of their citizenry and the democracy of their country."
Ambassador Holmes said political instability, chaotic situations and other undemocratic processes could prevent the achievement of social, economic and political targets of any nation.
He said the rule of law should be a priority in all military activities anywhere in the world and it would be against acceptable practices for the military to get involved in local politics.
Ambassador Holmes who was speaking to Ghanaian journalists at Stuttgart, Germany, on Monday, said Africa was previously ignored by the United States of America and after its independence the relationship between Africa and
the USA was inconsistent and this prompted the establishment of the AFRICOM.
He said formerly Africa formed part of the United States European Command (EUCOM) but a critical examination of the maritime domain of Africa coupled with narcotic drug smuggling, human trafficking, weapons proliferation and other issues called for another approach to Africa.
Ambassador Holmes said the United States decided to re-organise itself to understand African issues, noting that through cooperation, long term engagement and training, various joint exercises are now done with local armies to improve their skills and competencies.
He said apart from military to military training with their African Partner nations, there is also a military-civil component where the US military
assists communities in social activates during their visits.
From: George Naykene, GNA Special Correspondent
By Courtesy of US Government