U.S. AFRICA COMMAND UPDATE - OCTOBER 1 UNIFIED

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 STATE 104550 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: MARR PREL SUBJECT: U.S. AFRICA COMMAND UPDATE - OCTOBER 1 UNIFIED COMMAND STATUS SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. Department requests action addressees to inform their host governments of the stand up of U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) on October 1, and of its primary objectives. End summary. OBJECTIVES -------------- ¶2. Please approach appropriate host-country officials to pursue the following objectives: -- Notify host governments that U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) has reached full Unified Command Status as of October 1. -- Explain that as a fully unified command, AFRICOM will no longer be subordinate to U.S. European Command. However, the headquarters will temporarily remain in Stuttgart and a permanent headquarters location has yet to be identified. -- Express appreciation for the military-to-military cooperation between the United States and its African partners in support of mutual security interests. -- AFRICOM has responsibility for programs previously implemented by U.S. European, Central, and Pacific Commands on the African continent, except those in Egypt, which will continue to be implemented by U.S. Central Command. AFRICOM will coordinate with CENTCOM and the Government of Egypt on Africa-wide security issues. -- Reinforce that AFRICOM will focus on conflict prevention by supporting military professionalization and military capacity building to enhance the ability of our African partner nations to manage their own security. BACKGROUND -------------- ¶3. AFRICOM was established as a sub-unified command under U.S. European Command on October 1, 2007, in Stuttgart, Germany. AFRICOM is under the command of General William "Kip" Ward, and transitioned to a fully unified combatant command on October 1, 2008. The Command is temporarily headquartered in Stuttgart and has not identified a permanent headquarters location. To date, LIBERIA is the sole country that has publicly offered to host AFRICOM. ¶4. The Department is working closely with the Department of Defense (DoD) to fully establish AFRICOM as a unified combatant command that will have responsibility for coordinating and implementing DoD activities in Africa. ¶5. The Department is committed to ensuring that AFRICOM helps strengthen our relationships in Africa in a way that does not infringe on the primary role of the Department of State in the development and implementation of U.S. foreign policy in Africa. ¶6. The Department supports AFRICOM's mission focus on military-to-military security cooperation, an area of engagement the Department believes will maximize the Command's added value to U.S. Government combined efforts in Africa. We expect AFRICOM to substantially contribute to African defense sector reform and to build African partner capacities in peacekeeping, coastal and border security, and counterterrorism. ¶7. AFRICOM officials have expressed interest in working on the full range of military-to-military programs. AFRICOM will also bring a substantial and welcome capacity to assist with humanitarian assistance and development. The Department has made it clear that civilian agencies will maintain the lead for USG programs in these areas. We will ensure AFRICOM's activities are coordinated by our Ambassadors and are synchronized with the activities and programs of USAID and the State Department to avoid duplication and maximize effectiveness. STATE 00104550 002 OF 002 ¶8. Chiefs of Mission should continue to work closely with AFRICOM to ensure that U.S. military activities in Africa support USG priorities, for which each COM has primary responsibility in his/her country of accreditation. The Department retains the lead coordinating role over all programs in-country, including non-military security sector activities (including police, justice, and customs and border control) in host nations. ¶9. AFRICOM differs from traditional unified commands in four primary ways. First and foremost is an ambitious focus on non-combat war prevention activities, rather than only war-fighting. Second, the command has both a civilian Deputy to the Commander for Civil-Military Activities, Ambassador Mary Carlin Yates, and a military Deputy to the Commander for Military Operations, Vice Admiral Moeller. Third, "Directorates" have replaced the traditional military J-code. Fourth, AFRICOM seeks significant interagency support from interagency personnel. Like other commands, AFRICOM also retains a Foreign Policy Advisor, Jerry Lanier. ¶10. The establishment of AFRICOM has generated concerns within the international community regarding the potential militarization of U.S. Africa policy. The Department and DoD have consistently stated that the establishment of AFRICOM will not degrade the Department of State's lead role in the development and implementation of U.S foreign policy in Africa. REPORTING DEADLINE -------------- ¶11. The Department greatly appreciates posts' continued support and assistance. Department requests action addressees report feedback or results of efforts via front-channel cable by October 7 with responses slugged for AF/RSA Jun Bando, NEA/RA Col. Steve Soucek, and PM/PPA Evan Foster. POINTS OF CONTACT -------------- ¶12. Please contact AF/RSA Jun Bando at (202) 647-5781, NEA/RA Col. Steve Soucek at (202) 647-4506, or PM/PPA Evan Foster (202) 647-0336 or via email for any necessary further background information or supporting argumentation to meet demarche objectives. ¶13. Tripoli minimize considered. RICE