The four-day conference focused on a Global Network of Navies approach to enhancing collaborative efforts to achieve maritime security in the maritime domain around Africa.

“The men sent my parents away at the point of their AK-47, then they raped me.”

Cynthia Petrigh, from Beyond Peace, discusses gender based violence at U.S. AFRICOM’s Fourth Africa Accountability Colloquium (ACIV) on “Responding to Gender Based Violence During Peace Operations.” Nearly 40 military legal professional and commanders from 20 African countries have come together in an effort to lay the foundation for responding to sexual violence allegations that occur during peacekeeping operations. The annual event is once again being hosted by the International Institute of Humanitarian Law (IIHL) in Sanremo, Italy, Mar. 1-3, 2016. (U.S. Africa Command photo by Brenda Law/RELEASED)

Commandant Ngarhordje Dedjiri and her colleague from Chad hear opening comments at the U.S. AFRICOM's Fourth Africa Accountability Colloquium (ACIV) on “Responding to Gender Based Violence During Peace Operations.” Nearly 40 military legal professional and commanders from 20 African countries have come together in an effort to lay the foundation for responding to sexual violence allegations that occur during peacekeeping operations. The annual event is once again being hosted by the International Institute of Humanitarian Law (IIHL) in Sanremo, Italy, Mar. 1-3, 2016. (U.S. Africa Command photo by Brenda Law/RELEASED)

Group photo of participants of the U.S. AFRICOM’s Fourth Africa Accountability Colloquium (ACIV) on “Responding to Gender Based Violence During Peace Operations.” Nearly 40 military legal professional and commanders from 20 African countries have come together in an effort to lay the foundation for responding to sexual violence allegations that occur during peacekeeping operations. The annual event is once again being hosted by the International Institute of Humanitarian Law (IIHL) in Sanremo, Italy, Mar. 1-3, 2016. (U.S. Africa Command photo by Brenda Law/RELEASED)

Former African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) Commander, Maj. Gen. Fred Mugisha draws an African spear as an analogy to describe the challenge of executing peace operations where multiple systems of law are in use, and soldiers require the support of their command in confronting extraordinary logistical challenges." Mugisha delivered the keynote address at the U.S. AFRICOM’s Fourth Africa Accountability Colloquium (ACIV) on “Responding to Gender Based Violence During Peace Operations.” Nearly 40 military legal professional and commanders from 20 African countries have come together in an effort to lay the foundation for responding to sexual violence allegations that occur during peacekeeping operations. The annual event is once again being hosted by the International Institute of Humanitarian Law (IIHL) in Sanremo, Italy, Mar. 1-3, 2016. (U.S. Africa Command photo by Brenda Law/RELEASED)

Legal Counsel to the Commander, U.S. Africa Command, U.S. Marine Col. Donald Riley delivers comments at AFRICOM’s Fourth Africa Accountability Colloquium (ACIV) on “Responding to Gender Based Violence During Peace Operations.” Nearly 40 military legal professional and commanders from 20 African countries have come together in an effort to lay the foundation for responding to sexual violence allegations that occur during peacekeeping operations. The annual event is once again being hosted by the International Institute of Humanitarian Law (IIHL) in Sanremo, Italy, Mar. 1-3, 2016. (U.S. Africa Command photo by Brenda Law/RELEASED)

Deputy Chief of Legal Services for the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces, Col. Godard Busingye, (left), and President of the International Institute of Humanitarian Law (IIHL), Prof. Fausto Pocar at the U.S. AFRICOM’s Fourth Africa Accountability Colloquium (ACIV) on “Responding to Gender Based Violence During Peace Operations.” Nearly 40 military legal professional and commanders from 20 African countries have come together in an effort to lay the foundation for responding to sexual violence allegations that occur during peacekeeping operations. The annual event is once again being hosted by the International Institute of Humanitarian Law (IIHL) in Sanremo, Italy, Mar. 1-3, 2016. (U.S. Africa Command photo by Brenda Law/RELEASED)

One construction project ends as another begins with funds from the U.S. Africa Command Humanitarian Assistance Program.

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Wayne W. Grigsby, Jr., Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa Commanding General, administers the officer’s oath to 2nd Lt. Komi Afetse, a U.S. Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command Soldier deployed to CJTF-HOA, during a ceremony at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Feb 14, 2015. Afetse immigrated to the U.S. from Togo and received his commission through the U.S. Army Reserve Officer Accession program, or direct commission (courtesy photo)

2nd Lt. Komi Afetse, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, and Ambassador Dawn Liberi, U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Burundi, pose for a photo during the 239th Marine Corps Birthday Celebration in Bujumbura, Burundi, Nov. 8, 2014. Afetse immigrated to the U.S. from Togo, and earned his commission through the Army Reserve Officer Accession Program on Feb. 14, 2015. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Allison Pittam/Released)

The U.S. is known as “the land of opportunity.” American history has many stories of people who immigrated with little or nothing in search of a better life. For one man, the tales of the American dream inspired him to do just that.

U.S. Naval course brings 33 naval leaders from Africa and Europe to discuss maritime issues of mutual concern in effort to improve war-fighting capability.

NAPLES, Italy (March. 2, 2015) Commander, U.S. 6th Fleet, Vice Adm. James Foggo, III, welcomes Gabon navy Chief Rear Adm. Yves Keba Malekou as he arrives for the 2015 Combined Force Maritime Component Commander (CFMCC) Flag Course Africa at Naval Support Activity Naples, Italy, March 2, 2015. During this weeklong CFMCC course, facilitated by the U.S. Naval War College, 33 senior naval leaders from maritime countries in Europe and Africa will participate in seminars and discussions focusing on the effective employment of naval forces in a joint, coalition or interagency environment. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Daniel P. Schumacher/Released)

Gate sentries are the first line of defense, not only for force protection but also for enforcement of base orders. A strong show of force not only deters potentially dangerous activity but it creates overall stability, safety and security for the base being protected.

J6 Military-to-Military communications engagement brings women from African partner nations face to face with U.S. female military counterparts

U.S. Africa Command’s Directorate of Command, Control, Communications and Computer Systems (J6) recently hosted a group of female military personnel from nine African countries in a “military-to-military” engagement that focused on building relationships and sharing best practices. The event, conducted in Atlanta, Forts Gordon and Lee, and the Pentagon Sept. 14-20, consisted of cultural events, demonstrations in communications technologies and panel discussions with U.S. counterparts on how military women can serve in promoting peace and security. (Photos by Brenda Law, U.S. Africa Command Public Affairs/Released)

How can children learn in schools where rain enters the classrooms and wind tosses notebooks to the floor? They can't, not properly.

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