As debate grows over U.S. policy towards
Africa, the U.S. should consider eliminating Africa Command (AFRICOM) in
favor of a three-star subcommand. This downgrading would signal a shift
away from counterterrorism while clearing the way for a possible
alteration of the U.S. basing presence in Africa. Read the newest
Defense Priorities explainer by Non-Resident Fellow Mike Sweeney: “Rethinking Africa Command.”
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Select U.S. military installations in Africa
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- As debate grows over U.S. policy towards Africa, consideration
should be given to altering the continent’s status under the Department
of Defense’s Unified Command Plan (UCP).
- Eliminating Africa Command (AFRICOM) under the UCP would both
signify a policy shift away from a counterterrorism focus and ease the
process of implementing that change within the policymaking bureaucracy.
- Establishing a three-star subcommand, nested under European Command
(EUCOM), would still allow the United States to use force in Africa,
when necessary, but would reduce the prominence of military power in
U.S. policy toward the continent.
- AFRICOM and EUCOM essentially share much of their force structure;
this unique relationship would facilitate the transition to the proposed
three-star subcommand.
- Altering the U.S. military footprint in Africa should also be
considered in the context of any changes to policy and command
arrangements. Making specific recommendations at this time is
complicated by the opaqueness of the current footprint.
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