US: No garrisons in Africa

2007-11-08 22:26

Addis Ababa - Formation by the United States of a unified military command for Africa is not a move to push more troops onto the continent and impose American policy, the unit's commander said on Thursday.

Visiting African Union headquarters in the Ethiopian capital, Army General William "Kip" Ward sought to allay fears raised by some on the continent that the United States was planning to throw its military might around Africa.

"Africa command is not meant to militarise US foreign policy," Ward told reporters.

"Our policy is to assist African countries to build their security capacity and have a secured environment."

Some African nations have worried that the new US command, created by President George W Bush in February, will mean a greater presence of troops on the ground and make their countries the target of al-Qaeda and other US enemies.

"Africa command is not here to build garrisons and military bases," Ward said.

'Assist in addressing regional challenges'

He described his discussion with AU chairperson Alpha Oumar Konare and other officials as positive: "No one said they do not want the command to be operational in the continent."

The Pentagon says its vision for the command is to merge a military component into diplomatic and aid efforts across the continent, parts of which Washington views as fertile ground for al-Qaeda and other militant groups.

"Our goal is to ... assist in addressing regional challenges in medical activities, disaster preparedness, communication and capacity-building operations of African forces," Ward said.

The United States already has about 1 800 troops at a counter-terrorism task force base in Djibouti in the Horn of Africa.

Its soldiers train local militaries and carry out civilian welfare projects, such as building schools and drilling wells, designed to win local support in poor areas where militants might operate.

- Reuters