US Africa CommandArea of Responsibility

• Area of Responsibility• Family and Marriage• Political Systems• Economic Systems• US Interests

Overview

• Geography– 2nd largest continent– 11.6 mil square miles: 20%

of Earth’s land– Longest river (Nile) &

largest desert (Sahara)– 54 countries: does not

include Egypt (CENTCOM)• Accounts for 14% of world’s

population

Area of Responsibility

• Family Importance– The most important social unit– Identity:

– Clear Roles– Expected to share resources, hospitality, food, etc.

Extended Family Clan Ethnic

Group

Family & Marriage

Family & Marriage

• Marriage and Procreation– Children represent the bond between their

parent’s families– The number of children is a source of pride and

prestige• Represent continued flow of life• Children also valued as a source of labor

when necessary

Family & Marriage

• Women– Perform most domestic tasks; care for children,

sick and elderly; grow and harvest food– Traditionally limited access to education and

subservient to men by custom or law– Status improving in most communities

• Colonial Period– Europeans colonized & drew boundaries– Ethnic groups:• Some divided up to 4 different countries• Some opposing groups in single states

– Conflict, war, & devastation• Authoritarian Rule– Europeans undermined & devalued African people– Backed political corruption with military

Political Systems

• Civil Conflicts– Central African Wars: Rwanda 1994– Democratic Republic of Congo: 1 million killed– Africa’s First World War

• Organization of African Unity in 1963• Independence– Under-educated/ill-prepared to establish gov’t– Problems with boundaries–Many types of gov’t

Political Systems

• Vast Potential Wealth– People– Natural Resources

• Most Underdeveloped– 70% live in rural areas or small villages–Most are farmers – small plots of land

Economic Systems

• Traditional Jobs: fishing, herding, hunting, etc.• Large City Migration• High Unemployment• Income – 50% live on < $1 a day

Economic Systems

• Oil & Global Trade– Natural resources dominate products from Africa– Supply same amount of crude oil as Middle East• 5th largest supplier to US• World oil prices affected by Nigeria & Libya

• Maritime Security– Illegal fishing, trafficking, & piracy– Inadequate policing of waters– Piracy & sabotage of oil production facilities

US Interests

• Armed Conflicts– Political conflict & instability results in human

suffering & undermined development–Most of UN peace operations– Lack ability to militarily participate in efforts

• Violent Extremism– Counter-terrorism efforts– Terrorist attacks on US embassies– Kidnapping, trafficking, under-governed areas

US Interests

• HIV/AIDS– 22 mil HIV = 67% of infected worldwide– Leading cause of death• High infection rate of African security forces• Inability to deploy forces

– President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR)

US Interests

• Area of Responsibility• Family and Marriage• Political Systems• Economic Systems• US Interests

Summary