AFRICOM stands as military’s newest unified command

[unhappycamper]

AFRICOM stands as military’s newest unified command
By John Vandiver, Stars and Stripes
Mideast edition, Wednesday, October 1, 2008

STUTTGART, Germany — After more than a year of speculation, curiosity and doubts about what it all means, U.S. Africa Command stands up Wednesday as the military’s newest unified command, taking charge of all things in Africa.

Since its formation was announced more than a year ago, onlookers from around the world have cast a wary eye on AFRICOM. In Africa, leaders have been leery of the military’s strategic interest in the continent, which some suggest is solely about getting at Africa’s oil resources or countering growing Chinese influence there.

In the U.S., some political leaders also have questioned what its overall purpose is and whether AFRICOM is properly structured to meet the all of Africa’s challenges.

On the eve of its debut, AFRICOM officials on Tuesday said the military’s strategic interests are more basic.

Still, Navy Vice Adm. Robert Moeller, AFRICOM’s deputy to the commander for military operations, acknowledged one task to be carried out in the year ahead is making clear to the public the limits of AFRICOM’s mission.


Rest of article at: http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=57796



uhc comment: And they're still looking for some country in Africa to accept AFRICOM HQ.