“The partnership between African Nations and United States’ Army has importance because we operate in a complex and dynamic world. The security challenges we face are diverse, and African nations contend with some of the most complex challenges in the world such as insurgencies, armed conflicts, illicit trafficking, privacy, organized crime and violent extremist organizations.’’
This was disclosed by US forces commander, General Micheal Garrett.
On the high-level African Land Forces summit, he indicated that this year’s summit had terrific representation as more than 40 African nations were in attendance, which provided for the African people and United States a tremendous opportunity for building partnerships between the two forces.
“The threats have no boundaries. They cross borders, destabilize states and require significant cooperation and strong partnership make our efforts of combating these threats far more effective,” he pointed out.
Adding he noted that land forces have an important role in addressing these challenges, but the forces cannot do it alone. The forces must work in partnership with civilian leadership to develop solutions that are not only military focused, but solutions that focus on long term objectives, which include diplomatic, economic, and developmental efforts.
As to him, that is why this summit’s theme is entitled as tomorrow’s security demands and leadership today. It is appropriate and so important right now. Today’s leaders must face today’s challenges, while anticipating and preparing for future challenges. Leaders must understand their role in the larger context in national or regional efforts beyond the capabilities that their organization provides.
He went on to say that through these challenges, the US Army is a trusted partner. We are committed to building the partner nations’ capabilities across a wide-range of functions and to sharing information with the partners to increase the partners’ effectiveness.
“He is very proud of the things the United States Army and our African about the future. Perhaps even more so because the US department of defense has recently allocated a security force assistance brigade to support train, advise and assist missions in Africa.
Adding he stated that the security force assistance brigade is tailor-made for the mission of security force assistance and it will only strengthen these partnerships in Africa. It is through continued military partnerships, cooperation and collaboration that is possible to achieve for what he believed as shared goal that is a secure, stable and prosperous continent for the African people. Projections indicate that by the year 2050, the population of Africa is expected to double. A quarter of the world’s population will live in Africa.
According to him, given those population numbers, the goal of achieving global security is impossible without a secure and stable Africa. We move forward for the given goals through partnership network. Nevertheless, no nation can do this alone. Given the tremendous opportunity, “let us roll up our sleeves to build the tremendous efforts of predecessors and continue down the path of African prosperity.”
When United States Army Africa was established in 2008, leaders quickly recognized the importance of establishing relationships with chiefs of land forces from the partner nations in Africa. What United States Army Africa realized the best way to achieve this goal was by conducting a summit solely for African partner nations’ chiefs of land forces.
The inaugural African land forces summit was held in Washington DC in May 2010. The theme for the first summit was building and maintaining strong relationships and was attended by the United States Army Chief of Staff as guest of honor as well as 23 chiefs of land forces from African partner nations. The main issues of discussion at the 2010 summit focused on the role of land forces in the current security environment, building relationships with the leaders of countries that represent common interests and the responsibility of military leaders to democratic governments.
In 2012, the Ugandan Chief of Land forces agreed to host the first continent based summit in Kampala, Uganda. The theme for the second African Land forces summit was the strength of an army for the nation and its people. The guest of honor was the commanding general of US Africa command and 35 chiefs of land forces from African partner nations who attended the summit.
In 2018, the Nigerian Army co-hosted Africa land force summit in Abuja, Nigeria. The sixth gathering of land forces chiefs marked the return of the summit to the West Africa region. The theme for the 2018 summit was unity is strength, combating Africa’s security challenges. The guest of honor was, once again, the vice-chief of staff of the army and the like 2017, the summit hosted land forces chiefs from 40 African partner nations.
The 2018 summit enjoyed participation from NATO countries as well as the adjutant generals from US Africa command state partnership program. Africans land forces chiefs discussed a broad-range of relevant issues to include command and control in the Africa operational environment, protecting the populace while solving sustainment challenges. The topics were addressed in the plenary sessions and further during breakout sessions.
The seventh Africa land forces summit was held in Gaborone, Botswana and co-hosted by the Botswana defense force. The 2019 summit was attended by chiefs of land forces from 41 African partner nations, the most ever for Africa land forces summit. The theme for the summit was strengthening partner networks and the guest of honor was the in-coming vice chief of the Army.
Africa land forces 19 featured guest speakers from the defense security cooperation agency, AFRICOM as well as leaders of UN sponsored security frameworks operating in the continent. The Africa Land Forces plenary sessions and small group breakouts were supported by the African center for strategic studies. Africa Land forces participants focused on partner networks and their critical role in providing coordination and collaboration across regional borders for multinational forces.
Chief of General Staff of National Defense of Ethiopia, Adem Mohammed on his part indicated that the extremist groups have been crossing the borders and violating international law. Africa should opt to combating climate change and averting crisis through engagement of senior leaders. As the continent is in the corners of challenges, instability, the continent should express its readiness to feedback for the given challenges.
As a team of the summit, confronting regional and continental issues should be prioritized through training professionals, collective efforts to attain prosperity and stability in the continent. Africa countries must act to work together as one to maintain security in the continent. As Ethiopia have been encountering serious threats across the borders. The nation stands firm to resist the threats and challenges of national security and territorial integrity.
“Africa should stand firm to address the security threats across the borders and to actively working on investment, peace and democratic values. Armed conflict, extremism and terrorism acts are some of the threats and challenges for the continent. Therefore, working with partnership is needed in a way that deploying diplomatic and economic cooperation. Strengthening partnership with shared goals is instrumental to secure the Africa continent.’’
On the press briefing, US Army Africa Commanding General, Major General Roger L. Cloutier has also attended the summit. On the press briefing, Major general Roger remarked that the summit aims at meeting face to face to respond to security challenges. It has vital role in maintaining security in the African continent. Through contacting with senior leaders and Africa security forces, the summit serves as a platform to share experiences and to bring possible solutions. This enables to develop security institutions to act professionally. The summit has also contributed a lot for US interest as well as the interest of the continent.
“There are a lot of common challenges we face in Africa continent. Military, diplomatic challenges are listed. Using military power is not the answer for Africa. It needs holistic approach to get rid of the challenges. We are excited about partnership with Africa land forces,” he noted.
Responding to the question about US army force’s mission in Sahel region, he said the issue is a pretty broad one. So, US army Africa is committed to partner with Africa forces. The US army focuses on building defense institutions and propping up the capacity of Africa’s land forces. This army will do acts across the continent.
Pertaining to who is the one that must take responsibility for the conflict, social chaos and instability in Africa, he remarked that there are a lot of factors for the security challenges Africa faces. Beyond security challenges, US army also shares the occurrence of climate change, desertification, food and security, violence and extremism. This is an event to bring people together to respond to Africa’s challenges. It is irrelevant to focus on who takes the blame for Africa’s challenges. It is better to focus on solutions. This is solving the challenges and creating platform for securing and prosperous Africa.
The Ethiopian Herald Sunday Edition February 23/2020
BY MEHARI BEYENE
