On 1/16/2009 10:04:50 AM Natalie Lampert, Elon University wrote

Editors Note: Natalie Lampert is a sophomore at Elon University, where she is majoring in International Studies with a regional concentration in Africa. She graduated from the International School of Stuttgart, Germany in 2007.
The Voice of America television program she references, Straight Talk Africa, is available for viewing in the U.S. AFRICOM Multimedia Gallery.

As a new kid on the Public Affair's block, I was a bit surprised to hear yesterday that U.S. Africa Command's Commander, General William E. "Kip" Ward, would be a guest on a radio show via a live telephone interview that two strong critics of AFRICOM were also to be guests of. Isn't that risky? I wondered. But, as one PA Officer here put it, "it's better to work with the critics than not."

After hearing the interview last night, I got a taste of the truth of that statement and gleamed a little more insight into the inner workings of Public Affairs as well as gaining a whole new appreciation for the belief in and convictions of this Command.

I was honored to be invited to accompany Public Affairs Officer Vince Crawley to General Ward's residence last night to listen in on the General's interview. General Ward, along with U.S.AFRICOM critics Daniel Volman and Emira Woods, were guests on Voice of America's Straight Talk Africa, a live TV/radio show based in Washington, D.C. with wide African listenership. Mwamoyo Hamza was the guest host during this hour-long interview.

Mr. Hamza introduced the guests and then the "controversial topic" that is U.S. Africa Command. He correctly stated Africa Command's main goal of helping develop security capacity in Africa so that the Africans can further develop and manage security themselves. He went on to mention that U.S. and Chinese interests in Africa, a hot topic in the media, do not have to clash-- a point I found interesting and quite valid.

In General Ward's welcome and opening statement, he stated that U.S. Africa Command was created because other geographic commands did not have the resources to adequately focus on Africa's security issues. "We want to increase their capacity so that they can enhance their own security," General Ward said in a strong voice. He explained that a single headquarters means a more cohesive approach to dealing with issues in Africa-- something well worth keeping in mind when we think about the increasing role the continent is playing in global affairs. "Our goal is to provide a focused organization that will be consistent over time for our African friends," General Ward said, also discussing Africa Command's recognition of the continued evolution of African organizations.

Bottom line, I wrote in my notes: Prior to U.S. Africa Command's creation, the United States was working in Africa and with African organizations through U.S. European Command (EUCOM) and U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM)--now, Africa is the sole priority of one unified command.

Mr. Hamza then turned the discussion to a topic of great controversy surrounding U.S. Africa Command the location of its headquarters. Mr. Hamza asked point-blank if there are ongoing talks about relocating the headquarters to Africa, to which General Ward responded with an emphatic "NO. We've never asked an African country to host us; we are remaining focused on building the command."

The General went on to explain things the command is currently doing, which I was eager to learn about directly from the Commander. He mentioned the day-to-day military activities that are taking place; for example, our crews that are working with Rwandans to help load heavy equipment belonging to Rwandan peacekeepers bound for Darfur. (See U.S. Begins Flying Rwandan Peacekeeping Equipment to Darfur.) Finally, General Ward discussed how he and command officials have spent the past year traveling the continent explaining what Africa Command is, and what it is not.

During the second half of the show, U.S. Africa Command critics Ms. Woods and Mr. Volman shared their strong views. Ms. Woods passionately explained her opinion that what Africa needs least is military training; rather, they need food, jobs, and housing-- the "building blocks of society." She believes that the United States' development work and humanitarian assistance in Africa, along with our diplomatic efforts, are now under the controlled leadership of U.S. Africa Command. General Ward proceeded to clearly state that the command is not the leader in orchestrating development projects and is not taking over the initiatives of USAID or other partners U.S. Africa Command is working with. "We don't do anything in Africa that isn't welcome there; we always act in light of our foreign policy, not as a leader of it," he said.

Mr. Volman thinks that the United States relies too heavily on military defense to address its interests in Africa and that we need to "better balance our military activities with diplomacy and trade activities." In light of current world perceptions of U.S. military activities, I can understand this view--I believe, however, that U.S.AFRICOM's commitment to working with a wide variety of partners to assist in and support a wide range of efforts in Africa shows that this command is indeed providing a good balance. In response to Mr. Volman's comment that "the U.S. needs to move away from unilateralism in Africa," General Ward stated that we are, in fact, not acting unilaterally. "We fully recognize the linkage between regional response and international support," he said. Africa Command will help Africans build regionally while also acknowledging international responsibility.

It is interesting to hear the many different ways people view peace and security when it comes to Africa. Ms. Woods believes they should be looked at "in a holistic way," while General Ward deems peace and security to be of immediate and paramount concern in the continent. Both believe these should and need to come from within Africa. In my opinion, based of what I have learned about this command, that is exactly what U.S. Africa Command aims to do (and has stated many a time): working to ensure that Africa is able to secure the peace it so needs.

Near the end of the interview, Mr. Hamza (a very respectful and knowledgeable host, I might add) asked General Ward if he gets frustrated with the criticism U.S. Africa Command receives when he is convinced of the legitimacy and need of the Command. I would certainly think so, I thought, as I thought about all the times that efforts I believed in received criticism and my blood would boil. General Ward, however, didn't hesitate with his answer: "No, Hamza, I don't. I welcome the chance to discuss the Command [and the misconceptions about it]. I can't rewrite history, but I can continue to work towards our goal of helping Africans help themselves in providing a secure environment in what is not an independent effort but a cooperative venture." I looked up from my notes with a smile, realizing that General Ward's humble but confident last words are the kind that have been and will continue to set the tone for this Command.

On 6/7/2009 7:48:15 AM Steve B in Leavenworth, KS wrote
As the East African party to stop AFRICOM EAPTSA in Kenya said, obviously he is thinking in terms of a small picture and not thinking big picture Strategic. AFICOM needs to be involved in Africa because the continent is not getting better but getting worse and especially with the ongoing Global War on Terror. Africa is a perfect breeding ground for terrorist activities, training, illicit trafficking of funds, weapons and humans. The instability of Africa is alarming and if AFRICOM or the U.S. at that does not step in, then Africa will continue to crumble as continent. I have to agree with Anonymous in Unspecified wrote African Leaders have no accountability, mismanage their countries, and do not provide adequate social systems and programs for their people. Especially Nigeria, with all of the money it draws from the oil revenues each month or year. I have been there as well and was shocked on the lack of transparency by its government and the lack of everything it could have. As for the East African party to stop AFRICOM EAPTSA in Kenya wrote, that the US is a capitalists country, OK fact. In addition, according to Carol Adelman, who was one of the top officials in the American aid effort, the measure used by many in the global community to gauge a country's generosity only counts government foreign aid and the United States has for many centuries given a lot of private aid overseas.

She calculates that US businesses give 2.8bn every year American charities give 6.6bn the country's colleges give scholarships to foreign students worth 1.3bn. Therefore, you cannot say that we are all about money because we give it back to Africa every year. In addition, we did make you slaves but the fact is that you sold your own people to slavery and that is a fact.

I have no time to pick away at you response. Nevertheless, I ask you one question What have done for your country and people yesterday in order to make it a better place for them to live?

On 5/23/2009 9:08:56 PM Brian in Colorado wrote
Natalie has rights to start a thread. She is no mere poster she is an intern or something.

It is patently dishonest to identify her as a college student when she is participating and an employee of AFRICOM.

On 5/26/2009 8:22:23 AM, AFRICOM Public Affairs added

Brian,

Natalie's several other postings on our site made clear that she spent three weeks as an unpaid intern with our Public Affairs Office. Your word choice of "patently dishonest" is pretty strong, given that all of her postings made clear her status as a temporary intern.

Vince Crawley
U.S. Africa Command Public Affairs

On 4/11/2009 11:34:19 PM SFC WAMULUMBA in Unspecified wrote
I am an African native and speak several African languages. I am encouraged of what the AFRICOM leadership is doing in Africa. But I think the leadership could do much better if the HQs was based in one of the African Countries. The problem is the African Leaders to accept this. I know well African leaders. There is perception that AFRICOM HQs if installed in Africa it would be like a watch dog. There are all kind of crimes that they do not want to be seen. So until the African countries embrace the rule of law they will never accept the AFRICOM HQs in Africa.

On 1/20/2009 6:45:07 AM Anonymous in Unspecified wrote
Africa needs help. a healthy partnership with the United States will encourage community growth within Great Africa. Africa has been left alone since the 60's, the disorder of this nation is the mismanagment of prime African leaders. these Leaders have no accountability. For example, one must vist a place such as Nigeria. As you live and thrive in Nigeria one is left stunned on why Nigeria is not healthy and providing civilian assistance. The local level security such as the Nigerian Police are not accountable to any large source, therefore Nigerian Police are left to corruption and pribe. Before the 60's Nigerian was a thriving country with the assistance of England. Nigerian Politicians no longer wanted to play negotiation,so England abandon them. Since then Nigerian Leaders have raped the nations oil resource for personal profit. Sadly, Nigerian Leaders are not realizing the full potential of Nigerian resources. Exporting importing is frozen to all traders except for those wealthy Nigerians who have greed and corrupt agreements with Nigerian leaders, i.e. Presidental. The Nigerian electric company is so corrupt and mismanaged that the entire country has no reliable energy network system, even the capital Abuja runs energy in the late hours of the night. Resources state that the energy framwork in Nigeria is in prime condition. The reality is that U.S. presence in an African Country such as Nigeria will demad accountability. The Nigerian leaders have no desire to give up their bank roll to provide proper management framework that works for civilians. The secet of success for Africom is simple, recruit American Nigerians and intergrate them into the social system while representing the United States employed by Africom. General ward is not using simple solutions. Choose a small village that is in need, re develope the culture by providing life surviving resource sustenance. This seed will grow and expand to local villages. However, a Nige— (This entry exceeded character limit)

On 1/16/2009 8:55:28 PM East African party to stop africom EAPTSA in kenye wrote
Why can't you just leave Africa alone whatever you say we Africans now your intentions are bad you're a capitalist country so money is what drives your economy and your minds. let's be honest when did America government ever care about Africa health and lives you could of save so many African lives in your history i.e past but instead you made us slaves the present time you could of save Africa lives from poverty you have the money and the know how intelligence but instead you drain our human resources with your green visas and spend 300 billion dollars in America alone and more to save your banks. Even now you let Israel attack Gaza so doesn't tell me you give a single thought about Africans welfare or your here to keep the world safe your government bomb japan with Nuclear missiles and you new what you was doing and what the horrific out comes would be. I really could go on and on with well thought out factual arguments on why you shouldn't be in Africa and support my argument with evidence you know something American government record in history has been a soaked bloody ruthless one if Jesus was to come back we know how the Romans would be or if god was to flood a land of sin we now it would be America I know you're planning to destabilize Eritrea and are getting ready to enforce martial law and that's the real reason you are based in dijubito. Tomorrow don't cry when there's a wave of immigrants coming to America because it will be your fault since you instigate it anyway morally and legally you have now right to point your fingers at Africa or Eritrea they may not have much but we now at least gods on their side.
American government bully and one day all bullies get one beat up
America a great nation but you can't leave the world alone peacefully or concentrate on your own faults and predict if you don't fix this it will be your downfall just like bush. Bush was hated so much a half black man was elected i say it's unfair for him to get blame because you n