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(Note: An African serving in the U.S. Air Force, Colonel Folarin is AFRICOM's senior medical officer)
An African proverb says: When the right hand washes the left, and the left hand washes the right, both hands will become cleaner! So let it be with the partnership of Africa with the United States AFRICOM.
The partnership is not new; it is just being elevated to a higher level. Over the years, the U.S. government, through her military services, her State Department, her Agency for International Development and other agencies, has spent billions of dollars in aid to Africa (besides trading with Africa) in the form of training, healthcare improvements and sponsorship of many other collaborative activities. The military-to-military relationship has especially been beneficial to both partners in that it fostered improved relationships and heightened military professionalism such that there has been a significant reduction in coups-d'etat within the Continent.
The difference between the past efforts and the present is that all military-related aid and military support of diplomatic efforts were performed through three different geographic combatant commands, none of which has Africa as its sole focus. The increasing presence of destabilizing factors and activities, within Africa, and in regions very close to it, necessitated a closer look that resulted in the formation of a command that focuses solely on Africa (call it working to strengthen the bond of friendship).
The unusual breed of the command structure assures increased collaboration and cooperation among all the component agencies of the U.S. government and the governments of Africa to bolster stability and security on the continent and provide improved opportunities for Africans to determine their own destiny without outside interference and disguised destabilizing forces.
The command, along with other U.S. government agencies, and other international African allies, will work hand-in-hand with the African Union and its five Regional Economic Development Communities to offer assistance, as may be required, in building a secure, stable Africa so that she can focus on the basics; solve her own problems without further bloodshed, prioritize her resources so that she can provide food, health, clean water and education to her peoples and develop her resources so that she can be a stronger, more reliable partner in global trade.
The final feather in the cap will be a more economically diverse and prosperous Africa where nepotism, greed and irresponsible governance shall be held accountable to the people and every government shall stop suppressing good ideas and the next generation will grow up to be unselfish leaders who govern not for richness but for the security, stability and prosperity of all.
Rome was not built in a day. It will take a lot of concerted efforts and willingness to sacrifice to get there.
It will be extremely naive to think that America and other allies do not expect to get anything from the association. The most important benefit to America and the rest of Africa's allies is the assurance that those God-given resources to Africa will continue to be available to all (to purchase under international mutual agreements of trade) and that Africa's governments are reliable partners that can be trusted, even as they take their own places in a global economy that assures prosperity for all.
Another African proverb says: If an adult reaches out to lift up a baby, and the baby does not reciprocate, the baby is left alone ... on the floor. Our world today is more connected and inter-dependent, so, a hand offered in friendship to lift someone up should not be slapped or ignored.
America will continue to offer an up-lifting hand of friendship to her friends and allies. We will benefit if we trust a little, accept friendship and develop our own future generations to do better than what we hand over to them. Many Africans left their countries to go overseas and refused to return. Many left with nothing, but had the opportunities they did not have in their country of origin to make something of themselves. They got up-lifted because they trusted and the hosts were generous. Now, they are contributing to the stability, security and prosperity of their adopted nation and are afraid to return because they fear what will happen to them in the unstable and unsecured environments of their birth-nation if they do; yet, they want the best for their motherland. The cultural bond is unbreakable. You see, I am one of them.
(Folarin, a U.S. Air Force colonel, is the interim command surgeon and Chief of International Health Programs for U.S. Africa Command.)
On 4/9/2008 6:35:12 AM Ben in il USA wrote Sir am very glad for the enlightment you have made us aware of about great things,efforts the U.S government is doing and has beign doing.But we dont usually see this in American Media.
On 4/3/2008 12:50:14 AM Suleiman in Somaliland wrote Ironically I believe that AFRICOM did not met with resistance in all African nations and people, although many had declared their fear toward AFRICOM but in Africa there are state emeidiatly understand the importance of AFRICOM to the empowerment and development of African economic, security and improve the human resources in Africa as well to point out few of these countries, Liberia on the west African corner and of course the horn of African country called Somaliland. Both the Somaliland democratic government and the public express their support to the CREATION of AFRICOM, according the news published by Washington Post our president His Excellent Daahir Rayaale Kaahin told to the press that he invited US to use the former US strategic military base in Berbera port to be the first AFRICOM's physical presence in the continent.
But, so far I think the eyes of US leadership did not met with the opportunities exist in Somaliland. The key question is at what time US government tries to materials both its interest and the interest of pro democratic country of Somaliland. Right now the people of Somaliland need to dig water wells, to built raods and schools and medical centers etc. to better build the future of thousands of young generations of the country to develop a democratic culture etc.
Therefore we call US state department to give AFRICOM go head order to participate actively the humanitarian and reconstruction assistance needed in Somaliland.
On 2/6/2008 3:21:23 PM Marcus in Kansas, USA wrote It is a shame that AFRICOM is being met with resistance in Africa. The opportunity that AFRICOM can bring to the people of Africa is long overdue and , indeed, the right course to take in these troubled times. There is much to be done and AFRICOM can help. Recalcitrant leaders sit back and mutter about China and oil while Darfur and Kenya are in the headlines. Leaders complain of new colonialism while AQ tries to spread in the north. Other, so called leaders, sit quietly while citizens suffer in failed or failing states like Somalia or Zimbabwe. Natural disasters, disease, and starvation are everyday occurances. Give AFRICOM a chance — let them add to the light of what Africa can be. AFRICOM and the good it can bring is dearly needed.
On 1/25/2008 4:35:07 PM Karim N'diak in Chicago wrote Andy my brother, people are suffering everywhere. May be the level of suffering varies from one country to the other one. I am in America and i see poverty too.There is rather a lack of opportunity per se.But you can move from Uganda to another country around in Africa. Tha's how you find opportunities in Africa. Move around, learn a skillful job and don't forget it takes a man to reach the top of the mountain..You just have to believe that you can. Take care
On 1/20/2008 9:16:56 PM Andy in Uganda wrote really am 19 years old a uganda my dada died when i was 2 years old now am 19 year old i would like to get in USA AIR FORCE how can some of as be well without suffer i comment about USA aARMY i wish you people in USA could help as to join you beacuse we have a hard life really people suffer alot here in uganda in northern uganda people dies hust like a very day please why can you help as from this hard life please at last take some young men in ARMY they like but we have no Support we need your suppot please thank you please
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