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(Transparency in Mali) Last week, several representatives of the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) had an outstanding opportunity to participate in the Economic Community of West African States/Africa Center for Strategic Studies (ECOWAS/ACSS) Strategic Level Seminar in Bamako, Mali. West African senior defense officials and their advisors convened to discuss the threats and challenges to their region, and the strategies and initiatives to address those threats. During five days of robust discussions and presentations by key regional leaders, the conference's attendees were candid, forthright, and comprehensive in addressing the region's challenges and their states' strengths and weaknesses to contend with the same.
West African leaders' perspectives concerning their regional environment focused overwhelmingly on human security issues, rather than the state-versus-state competition that has been the hallmark of international politics. Many African representatives view bad governance as the primary cause of West African problems. Likewise, the difficulties associated with climate change, youth unemployment, and illiteracy played prominently in the participants' discussions. While delegates touched upon the issues of American, European, and Far Eastern influence in Africa, their focus overwhelmingly returned to a self-appraisal that was critical, transparent, and optimistic.
My trip to Bamako was invaluable, professionally and personally. Professionally, as part of AFRICOM's strategy development team, the interaction with ECOWAS leaders provided important insights as to how the West African states and the larger economic community perceive and plan to overcome the regions security challenges. Since one of AFRICOM's primary missions is to aid African states as they work toward their own security solutions, such insights are absolutely essential for the command's "way forward" in identifying and addressing issues of mutual concern to African states and the United States. Personally, numerous interactions with Malians outside the conference provided an introduction to a vivacious and friendly community that cheerfully deals with adversities unknown to most Americans. Mali was my first step toward a far better appreciation of Africa, its numerous challenges, and its plethora of opportunities.
(Major Rick Wrona works in U.S. Africa Command's Strategy Division)
On 3/21/2008 5:09:06 AM Sigou in Bathily wrote Bad governance still the core problem in Africa. don't you see the correlation between bad governance and unemployement, Bad governance est and illiteracy, and many more. Climat change is beyond our control, then you've got to tell something about this. thanx for interest to Africa, I'm sure you're going to learn much more
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