WASHINGTON, D.C. – Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, left, and U.S. Africa Command Commander Army Gen. William E. Ward, right, stand next to the flag during the activation ceremony of U.S. Africa Command in the Pentagon, October 1, 2008. (DoD photo by U.S. Petty Officer 2nd Class Molly A. Burgess) AFRICOM Photo ID 20081002085926
Sokari shares this:
For the past 500 years, Africa has been a target for exploitation of both human and natural resources. With the establishment of AFRICOM, the Pentagon attempts to increase access to Africa’s oil and to wage a new front in the Global War on Terror without regard for the needs or desires of African people. Enabled by oil companies and private military contractors, AFRICOM serves as the latest frontier in military expansionism, violating the human rights and civil liberties of Africans who have voiced a strong “No” to U.S. military presence. U.S Government spending – our tax dollars – should not enable the Department of Defense to pursue its Middle East agenda in Africa.
For more on AFRICOM as a manifestation of the American corporate predator state, see my previous post, and be sure to check the comments there for more highly relevant information.
October 3, 2008 at 6:13 am
The war began before China began pouring billions of dollars into Africa, but before you write off the American corporate predator state, you should google this, How China has created a new slave empire in Africa.
October 3, 2008 at 11:06 pm
Beauty,
I am an admirer of your commentary, which I have read in various places around the web.
You are absolutely correct about China and slave labor. China is ruthlessly exploitive, even of its own people at home, where slave labor conditions also exist. The Chinese make very tough bargains, and collecting what they promise, even when you have a contract, or think you do, can be a challenge as well.
I write about AFRICOM because I live in the United States and have followed US politics for many years, domestic and international, and feel fairly comfortable in my understanding. I am an admirer of the ideals of American democracy, and would like to see the US apply those ideals more, both at home and abroad. The US has the mechanisms to correct its course. I hope and pray that it will. The US could be a far more effective counter balance to China if it were practicing more of its founding principles. Under Bush, read Cheney, the American corporate predator state is a great danger to America as well as Africa. Although Bush Cheney and friends practice authoritarian thuggery and intimidation, it is still possible to say what one thinks, and describe what one sees here.
I have been reading more on China’s presence in Africa. One problem I find is that it is sometimes difficult to sort the western anti China propaganda from the actual news. You are correct that it deserves more attention.
Thanks for dropping by!
October 9, 2008 at 10:42 am
a booz allen hamilton ‘defense analyst’ writes in the neocon rag, the weekly standard
The Great Game in Africa: Washington’s emerging containment strategy
October 9, 2008 at 7:17 pm
I feel like asking have they no shame. But since the answer is unambiguously obvious, it it hardly worth asking. And I’m rather afraid the last paragraph is true. I’d like to think a President Obama will have some inclination to change direction on this, but I’m sure not holding my breath. And he is going to have a lot to do.
October 9, 2008 at 10:49 pm
did you catch the stmts from both u.s. presidential contenders’ africa policy advisors @ a nat’l press club forum on U.S.-Africa Policy Agenda and the Next Administration” last week? here was Obama’s Three Objectives for Continent
spinmaster pham spun for mcSame
October 24, 2008 at 10:55 am
xcroc – have you come across anything regarding a pending relocation of AFRICOM’s HQ as suggested in this article from charleston, south carolina? there’s a lot of wiggleroom w/i the article, but it’s the first i’ve seen on it
Area may be a finalist for military HQ
October 24, 2008 at 11:08 pm
b real, I haven’t seen anything about Charleston before today. There was a flurry of stories about Tan Tan as a possibility two or three weeks ago. But the stories I saw seeemed based on old news. I have a vague recollection of reading a mention of the HQ being in Stuttgart or possibly the US, maybe the southern US from sometime maybe in August or September. But I can’t remember where. And my memory may be in error. I think I didn’t pay close attention because I was assuming it would be Stuttgart or somewhere in Africa.
October 26, 2008 at 4:32 pm
xcroc, Better the devil you know is of Irish origin but we have similar sayings in the various African languages. The meaning is the message. I do not see China & its people opening their doors to Africans nor does China hang out its washing for all to see. The US government is crazy (so my American friends tell me), but in the mecca of mess, freedom is fought and won daily. That modicum of freedom will send people applying for the red visa which is not the case.
This US/China competition is healthy for Africa where it is others that are playing the game at zero cost to Africa. Africa is not required to learn the rules but can educate its people. What benefits can Africa derive from the complex 3-way relationships? What are the reasons for not supporting the win-win AFRICOM in Africa? I am still looking for an argument against the technology. A balance to slavery disguised as new investment is in itself a very powerful argument. The world is moving on to the next best thing and so should Africa.
October 29, 2008 at 11:17 pm
more news today out of georgia about a relocation of the AFRICOM HQ inside the continental u.s.
atlanta journal-constitution: Georgia in running for new military center
there was a stars and stripes article monday on multi-million dollar construction project on housing accomdations in stuttgart – Robinson Barracks gets makeover for AFRICOM: New command rejuvenating once-flagging Stuttgart post
that wouldn’t indicate that the pentagon is planning to relocate the HQ, but then it’s not like the military is known for being too concerned about how it spends other peoples’ money.
given that the politicians mentioned in the article are all republicans & that two of the three bases mentioned are scheduled for closure, it is possible that this is all mostly a politcal tactic timed to help save their butts this election season. just a guess.
October 30, 2008 at 10:17 am
Interesting. You may well be right about political manuevering. I’ve been trying to recall what I think I read some time back about a possible US base. My vague recollection is that there was mention of Georgia, maybe Alabama, and maybe one of the Carolinas. I am fairly certain 3 southern states were mentioned, and that the Norfolk area in Virginia was not among them. I wish I could remember what and where I read it, but so far I’ve drawn a blank.
October 31, 2008 at 12:27 am
a port on the atlantic seaboard would be the obvious choice if they want to base it inside the u.s., considering geographical & gulf stream factors
stars and stripes has a story on thursday on the topic
Ga. makes pitch for AFRICOM headquarters: In Stuttgart, U.S. military plays down talk of move
one issue that i have only superficially pondered — have yet to see anyone tackle — is what effect a major economic meltdown in the u.s will have on AFRICOM & all of the empire’s bases & operations throughout the planet. what contingency plans are in place? could these indications of a possible relocation to the u.s. be in any way related?
October 31, 2008 at 10:45 am
Alabama did seem odd, assuming I even remember correctly. The Atlantic seaboard makes a lot more sense.
I have wondered a bit myself about the effect of an economic meltdown on AFRICOM and other imperial activities. I hadn’t gotten much farther than thinking it might be a question. And I haven’t seen any mention of the topic anywhere.