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US Military Assures Africa of Continued Support

Mohammed Yusuf

   NAIROBI - U.S. military commanders say the United States will support
   African governments in their efforts to secure and stabilize their
   countries. The eighth Africa Land Forces Summit in Ethiopia ended with
   a call on African troops to improve their human rights record.
   This week, top U.S. military commanders met their counterparts in
   Africa to discuss ways of protecting African countries from violence
   and instability.

   In recent years, the threat of terrorist groups like Boko Haram and
   al-Shabab has increased, and criminal networks have become more brazen
   and prominent.

   U.S. Army Africa Commanding General Roger Cloutier said the continent
   needs professional armies to combat the armed groups.
   "In keeping with this theme, tomorrow's security demands leadership
   today. We have been focused on the roles Africa's land forces chiefs,
   and senior leaders have in developing defense systems, institutions
   that are trained, capable professional forces that respect the rule of
   law, and human rights a contributor to greater security and stability
   on the African continent," Cloutier said.
   The annual summit of Africa Land Forces was attended by representatives
   from 42 countries who gathered in Addis Ababa to share their
   experiences in dealing with violence and the need to cooperate in
   dealing with emerging threats.

   The U.S. military's Africa Command currently gives support to about a
   dozen African countries. In particular, the command has carried out
   many drone strikes against Islamist militant group al-Shabab, which has
   tried for years to overthrow the internationally recognized government
   of Somalia.

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