U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) Operation Enduring Freedom Trans Sahara (OEF-TS) provides military support to the Trans Sahara Counter Terrorism Partnership (TSCTP) program. OEF-TS engagement in TSCTP focuses on overall security and cooperation rather than solely on Counter Terrorism. OEF-TS partnership comprises the United States and ten African countries: Algeria, Burkina Faso, Morocco, Tunisia, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, and Senegal.
TSCTP is the State-led interagency initiative to assist traditionally
moderate Muslim governments and populations in the
Trans-Sahara region to combat the spread of extremist
ideology and terrorism in the region. The initiative is an
integrated, multi-year approach that draws resources and
expertise from multiple agencies in the U.S. Government,
including the Department of State, USAID, and the
Department of Defense.
OEF-TS is the USG’s 3rd priority counter terror effort conducting
activities that support TSCTP but are not exclusive to
TSCTP. OEF-TS supports TSCTP by forming relationships of
peace, security, and cooperation among all Trans Sahara
Nations. OEF-TS fosters collaboration and communication
among participating countries. Furthermore, OEF-TS
strengthens counterterrorism and border security, promotes
democratic governance, reinforces bilateral military ties, and enhances development and institution building. U.S. Africa Command, through OEF-TS, provides training, equipment, assistance
and advice to partner nation armed forces. This increases
their capacity and capability to deny safe haven to terrorists
and ultimately defeat extremist and terrorist activities in
the region.
Building Partner Nation Capacity
Through OEF-TS, U.S. Africa Command trains, equips, assists and advises
partner nations through activities including, but not limited to:
• Military information sharing
• Communications systems interoperability
• Joint, combined, and multinational exercises enhancing cooperation
• Countering extremist ideology
• Sustaining regional operations
• Building upon mutual military professionalism and accountability
• Airlift and logistical support
• Ground and aviation training and maintenance support
Developing Partner Nation Capability
OEF-TS extends previous efforts to train and equip company-sized
rapid reaction forces to help stem the flow of illicit arms, goods, and people, and to preclude terrorists from
establishing sanctuaries. Under the program, U.S. service
members provide training, equipment and logistical
capability to specific units to meet United Nations peace
operations standards. U.S. forces also provide mentorship
on military leadership and responsibility, and exemplify
democratic ideals of civilian control of the military.
Other OEF-TS Efforts
OEF-TS also provides military support to public diplomacy,
information programs, humanitarian assistance, and
infrastructure development. The Multinational Information
Sharing Initiative (MISI) provides training and equipment to
build an information sharing capability with, and between,
the Trans-Sahara partners. Sharing information empowers
nations to attain information superiority that leads to
successful operations.
Engagement Activities
U.S. Africa Command will engage OEF-TS nations and support TSCTP
through a variety of activities, such as:
• Joint Planning Assistance Teams (JPAT)
• Mobile Training Teams (MTT)
• Civil-Military Support Elements (CMSE)
• Military Information Support Teams (MIST)
• Joint Combined Exchange Training (JCET)
• Foreign Military Financing, Foreign Military Sales, and
International Military Education and Training
• Senior Leader Engagement to gain perspective and build
regional cooperation
Multinational Support
As a top priority, increasing multinational partner support
for TSCTP will build upon existing African regional coalitions,
such as the African Union (AU) and the Economic Community
of West African States (ECOWAS). U.S. Africa Command is actively
engaging other countries and organizations to join
TSCTP efforts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is OEF-TS?
U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) Operation Enduring Freedom Trans Sahara (OEF-TS) is the U.S. Government's Regional War on Terrorism Operation and provides military support to the Trans Sahara Counter Terrorism Partnership (TSCTP) program. OEF-TS engagement in TSCTP focuses on overall security and cooperation rather than solely on Counter Terrorism. OEF-TS partnership comprises the United States and ten African countries: Algeria, Burkina Faso, Morocco, Tunisia, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, and Senegal.
What is TSCTP?
TSCTP is a State Department-led initiative specifically developed
to address potential expansion of operations by terrorist
and extremist organizations across West and North Africa.
Interagency coordination is critical to its success. The
partnership comprises: Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Chad, Mali,
Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, and Senegal and the
United States.
What does U.S. Africa Command do to support OEF-TS?
U.S Africa Command facilitates programs that expand military-to-military cooperation between the US and partner nations by ensuring there is adequate resources available to train, advise, and assist regional units with the hope of promoting better regional cooperation, communications, and intelligence sharing. U.S. Africa Command will conduct train and equip missions to build Company level units that are capable of providing sustained border security. Also U.S. Africa Command facilitates partner national staff information training and mentorship programs, conduct JPAT and MIST training, and hold JCET events in all nine countries. To build regional cooperation, an annual regional CT exercise will involve all countries as well as mentors and observers from African partners. As the military support to TSCTP, OEF-TS is currently building an information sharing portal and standing up regional communications infrastructure to improve connectivity between partner countries.
What is a JPAT?
A Joint Planning and Assistance Team is a four- to six-man
element that advises and helps partner nation forces on a
wide variety of military missions.
What is an MTT?
A Mobile Training Team is tailored to conduct specific
military training to increase the capabilities of nations.
What is a CMSE?
A Civil-Military Support Element (CMSE) assesses partner
nation capacities to develop and sustain government and
local institutions, including infrastructure development, that
address the population’s basic humanitarian needs.
What is a JCET?
Joint Combined Exchange Training (JCET) events provide
special opportunities to enhance training, foster communication
and cultural exchanges between militaries.
What is a MIST?
A Military Information Support Team (MIST) is a tailored
package that supports State Department and U.S. embassy
public diplomacy and information programs. It provides
advice and assistance to a partner nation to promote good
governance activities, and in the TSP region, to counter
terrorist and extremist ideology and recruiting efforts.
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