A clearinghouse of the U.S. Africa Command's senior leader's updates on issues important at AFRICOM.
We encourage your comments and feedback.
Click here to see our public feedback
On 4/13/2010 3:53:41 PM Phillip J. Heyl, Chief of Air and Maritime Security in Strategy, Plans and Programs, U.S. Africa Command wrote
African Union Experts' Workshop on Maritime Security
I recently returned from the African Union (AU) sponsored Experts' Workshop on Maritime Security in Addis Ababa from 6-7 April 2010.
The goal of the workshop was to generate discussion leading to specific inputs for the construct of a continental strategy for the African maritime domain. Illegal fishing, illegal dumping of toxic wastes, arms and drug trafficking, human trafficking, piracy, and armed robbery at sea were featured prominently in numerous presentations. The workshop succeeded in gathering a variety of experts who reached broad consensus on the need for a maritime strategy and continued emphasis on cooperative operations to enforce African maritime laws.
Safe, secure, and clean seas in Africa are of shared African and global interest. It was clear from this meeting at the AU that African military and maritime leaders recognize the importance of a secure maritime domain and are taking steps to address significant issues. For example, the AU's Plan of Action for the Maritime Transport Charter accepted last October is an important move toward improving maritime security in Africa. Delegates at this meeting discussed the need for an overarching vision to tie the various individual countries' efforts together regionally. African maritime security strategy led by Africans, supported by committed global partnerships, will benefit African economies and the global market.
On 4/19/2010 7:49:11 PM Jeffrey Shippy in USA wrote Congratulations to DoD Africom and the AU on their continued good work in Africa. However, lets call a spade a spade. These long term costly naval maritime security programs are not working cost effectively, because they are not land based and do not offer solutions to piracy's root causes. Civilian programs run by former special forces officers and intelligence retirees that do exist, and know how to operate around DoS DoDs Black Hawk Down Syndrome in and around the HOA GOA are the answer in helping bring jobs stability back to the Somali shores, thus eliminating piracies symptoms. Keep up the good work.
PA mission to Ethiopia 1/8/2011 · By Airman 1st Class Jevon Smith
Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa strategic communication combat camera videographer
VETCAP in Negele 1/8/2011 · Captain David Creech
402nd Civil Affairs Battalion functional specialty team veterinarian
Visiting Our Teams over the Holidays 1/4/2011 · Rear Admiral Brian Losey, commander, and Captain John Dixon, chief of staff, Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa
From LTC David Knellinger on 9/10/2012 2:02:03 PM "The Central Africa Region Environmental Security Symposium, hosted by the United States Africa Command Environmental Security Program and the United Nations Environmental Programme..." (Read Full Entry)
From Brigadier General Stayce Harris on 7/19/2012 8:54:32 AM "The following blog is by Brigadier General Stayce Harris, U.S. Africa Command's mobilization reserve assistant to the commander.
Over the past 2 years, I have had the..." (Read Full Entry)
Hamza in Gabes, Tunisia wrote on 10/2/2012 11:09:13 AM "I LOVE US ARMY I DREAM TO BE SOME ONE FROM MARINS ITS JUST DREAM..." (Read Full Entry)
Pamela in Virginia wrote on 10/2/2012 10:28:15 AM "This command much needed not only to ustain African governments ,but to also be an aide to our United States stability and protection. Many hostile in that area ,especially on East..." (Read Full Entry)
Herman in Pretoria wrote on 9/23/2012 5:46:33 PM "Awesome aircraft, thank you for the display! It is most appreciated...." (Read Full Entry)
Paul in UK wrote on 8/22/2012 9:16:10 AM "I was also involved in the communications training at Kisangani and share Michel Beya's comments I'm sure we met. What I saw was a very well trained battalion and hope that..." (Read Full Entry)
Mark in Fort Leavenworth wrote on 8/21/2012 10:25:29 PM "False allegations against Commander USAFRICOM appear to be in fashion. It is shameful that someone felt the need to assassinate the character of the previous commander — one ..." (Read Full Entry)