| Foreign Military Training: Joint Report to Congress, Fiscal Years 2006 and 2007 -Report Home Page Released by the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs August 2007 III. State Foreign Policy Objectives--Africa Region Angola
FY 2006 FY 2007 Program Training Individual Course Dollar Training Individual Course Dollar CTFP 2 2 1 $8,570 0 0 0 $0.00 IMET 19 11 18 $337,725 23 13 16 $289,277 Regional Centers 4 4 1 $8,176 0 0 0 $0.00 Totals: 25 17 20 $354,471 23 13 16 $289,277 Angola has one of Africa’s largest, most experienced, and well-equipped militaries, which can play a constructive role in ensuring a safe, peaceful, and democratic Angola, and potentially contribute to international peacekeeping operations. Four years after the end of a 27-year civil war, the Government of Angola (GRA) remains largely focused on rebuilding the country’s devastated infrastructure and economy. The GRA has made some progress on economic reform, and has demonstrated interest in regional stability. The country is preparing for general elections, postponed from 2006 to the end of 2007; the first elections since 1992. Rich in natural resources, Angola is the second largest oil producer in sub-Saharan Africa (1.4 million barrels per day), and the world’s fourth-largest producer of rough diamonds. Significant and growing U.S. investment in Angola highlights the importance of economic security. U.S. military training assistance to Angola promotes development of an apolitical, professional defense force respectful of human rights. In FY 2006, the Department of State managed a $486,000 IMET operating budget for Angola. IMET programs focused on English language training and fostered more effective participation in military-to-military engagement and increased professionalism and familiarization with U.S. culture, military methods, and resources. Angolan participation in seminars and conferences sponsored by the African Center for Strategic Studies exposed military leaders to their counterparts throughout the region and helped promote a shared vision of regional and global security. A EUCOM Special Operations Conference in Stuttgart, Germany, improved understanding among senior Angolan military intelligence officers and built support for U.S. goals and objectives in combating terrorism. Mutual understanding and goodwill were enhanced through theater security operation events. For example, the Africa Endeavor Telecommunication Conference Series sponsored three conferences in Ethiopia, Botswana, and South Africa. A Gulf of Guinea Maritime Ministerial conference took place in Benin. Bilateral relations were strengthened by the November visit of the Deputy Commander of U.S. EUCOM and by a separate five-day ship visit that included 1,200 sailors, the first ever by a U.S. naval vessel since Angolan independence. Progress was made toward Angolan participation in the Africa Contingency Operations Training Assistance (ACOTA) program, and further discussions leading to a partnership are planned. ACOTA training events with Angola could begin by mid-FY 2007. Benin
Since the transition from a Marxist military regime after a National Conference in 1990, Benin has become a model, albeit imperfect, of democracy and stability in the region. Free and fair presidential elections in 1991 led to a peaceful transition of government to civilian authorities. The country since that time has been characterized by a lively and crowded political landscape. The Beninois military has returned to a subordinate role in society, fully respecting civilian control and the apolitical nature of the armed forces. During the 2006 Presidential elections, the Chief of Defense Staff and other key officers toured the country’s military installations to reiterate to the armed forces that they should not be involved in politics and that the role of the military was only to help ensure secure conditions for the conduct of the elections. At present, Benin faces no external threat to its stability and the armed forces have played an increasing role in regional peacekeeping activities. The Beninois were enthusiastic participants in the African Crisis Response Initiative (ACRI) training, and military leaders continue to benefit from training opportunities presented under programs such as the Africa Contingency Operations Training Assistance (ACOTA) program. Benin’s armed forces (BAF) have played a significant role in regional peacekeeping activities and programs like ACOTA will help them enlarge that role. We continue to encourage the Beninois to be engaged in the region, both on a political and military/peacekeeping level. They have been responsive, most recently deploying troops with the United Nations Operation in Cote d’Ivoire (ONUCI) and the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC), as well as observers to multilateral missions in Haiti and Sudan. Beninois troops have earned solid praise for their performance on these deployments, including the decision to name a Beninois general as ONUCI commander in the Fall of 2006. Beninois commanders have attributed the BAF’s peacekeeping success directly to the ACRI and ACOTA training provided. All of these deployments should continue in 2007, and Benin has indicated its readiness to conduct further deployments, if assistance with material and logistical requirements could be provided. We continue to seek to strengthen the capabilities of the BAF to provide international peacekeeping and humanitarian relief. In July 2005, Benin signed an Article 98 agreement with the United States, which entered into force in August of 2005. IMET programs, which have played a key role in securing the Beninois military’s professionalism and apolitical role, were therefore able to restart in the fall of 2005 and continued throughout 2006. The Africa Center for Strategic Studies (ACSS) also supports democratic governance in Benin by offering senior African civilian and military leaders a practical program in civil-military relations, national security strategy, and defense economics. ACSS participation helps build and maintain long-term, continuing interaction with and among participants, and supports additional research, seminars, conferences, and other exchange activities on relevant topics in Africa, Europe, and the United States. Benin has been an active participant in ACSS programs, including as host of an 11-nation Ministerial Conference on Maritime Security and Safety in the Gulf of Guinea during November 2006. We continue to explore other avenues for increasing security assistance cooperation with Benin on areas of common interest, such as peacekeeping and good governance, but also, for example, on promoting maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea, or in support of humanitarian demining training via the joint French-Beninois Demining School for Africa based in Ouidah, Benin. Programs such as IMET, the ACSS, ACOTA, and the Defense Institute of International Legal Studies will aid in increasing the BAF’s readiness for and participation in international peacekeeping, as well as in buttressing democratic government and good governance. Support via the Foreign Military Financing and Excess Defense Articles programs would also bolster the BAF’s capacity to serve in these roles. Botswana
Botswana has one of the longest-running democracies and most fiscally prudent economic regimes on the African continent. Our efforts focus on supporting Botswana’s stable democracy, expanding U.S. business opportunities, advocating Botswana’s leadership in the region, and helping Botswana confront its HIV/AIDS epidemic, which is among the world’s worst. Botswana has one of the region’s most professional and responsible military establishments and offers a model for civilian-military relations for the rest of Africa. The International Military Education and Training (IMET) program in Botswana provides for well-received regional military exchanges that have fostered a spirit of regional cooperation. In FY 2006 Botswana received $760,000 in IMET funding. Through our IMET and other security assistance programs, including the Regional Defense Combating Terrorism Fellowship Program (CTFP) and Foreign Military Financing (FMF) or Foreign Military Sales (FMS) training cases, we seek to expand our connections with Botswana’s military leaders and support their interest in contributing to efforts to strengthen both regional civil-military ties and regional military-military relations. The Botswana Defense Force (BDF) uses IMET as the primary vehicle to obtain intermediate and senior professional military education (PME) for their officer corps. In FY 2006 Botswana received two intermediate and one senior PME seats. FY 2006 saw the continuation of a program to enhance the professionalism and capabilities of BDF non-commissioned officer (NCO) Corps with over 18 lines of NCO-specific training. These courses not only support individual professional development, but also prepare the BDF to better execute peacekeeping operations (PKO) and humanitarian support operations while complementing other existing programs, such as the African Contingency Operations Training and Assistance (ACOTA) program. Training included components on HIV/AIDS, civil-military relations, and legal aspects of combating terrorism. Ten of thirteen currently serving General Officers in the BDF are IMET graduates, including the new Commander of the Botswana Defense Force, who is a graduate of the Air Command and Staff College. The BDF has leveraged its CTFP funding to foster the development of an internal counterterrorism capacity with an emphasis on building the intelligence capabilities of the BDF. The Africa Center for Strategic Studies (ACSS) supports democratic governance in Botswana by offering senior African civilian and military leaders a practical program in civil-military relations, national security strategy, and defense economics. ACSS participation also helps build and maintain long-term, continuing interaction with and amongst participants, and supports additional research, seminars, conferences, and other exchange activities on relevant topics in Africa, Europe, and the United States. Burkina Faso
Military engagement with Burkina Faso continued to expand in FY 2006 after many years during which it was limited to participation in an occasional Africa Center for Strategic Studies (ACSS) event and infrequent contacts in the context of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) oriented regional training or development programs. The increased engagement follows Burkina Faso’s efforts during the past several years to play a more productive regional role and to improve relations with the United States, including signing an Article 98 Agreement. The Government of Burkina Faso (GOBF) has also demonstrated a willingness to cooperate on important USG policy priorities such as the war on terrorism, support of the peace process in Cote d’Ivoire, and bringing Charles Taylor to justice. As a result of the shift in the GOBF’s actions, the Department of State has re-started an Expanded IMET program as a means to expand bilateral military training efforts. FY 2006 funding in the amount of $129,000 was used to fund books and other materials for a language lab and to train one civilian and a Burkinabe military officer through the Defense Language Institute English Language Center’s (DLIELC) Basic American Language Instructor Course. The equipment and the trained instructor both arrived in Burkina Faso in 2005, and language courses started in October 2006. English language training will be critical to increasing the interoperability of the Burkina military with Anglophone members of the Economic Community of West African States, as well as with the United States. Burkina Faso sent three participants to various ACSS events in FY 2006. Military and civilians alike covet spots for these events and participation is a mark of distinction. ACSS provides an exceptional forum for engaging senior-level military and civilian officials in African countries. The Africa Center program promotes democratic governance in the defense and security sectors and fosters critical partnerships with African nations. The Burkinabe graduates of previous ACSS seminars have formed a local community chapter, which held an ACSS-funded local seminar on the importance of democracy and good governance. The seminar was opened by two ministers and attended by several service chiefs, military personnel and civilians. In December 2005, ACSS funded two civilians and one military officer to participate in the Regional Defense Combating Terrorism Fellowship Program (CTFP) in Accra, Ghana. One army officer participated in the Medical Strategic Leaders course in the United States. ACSS held a regional seminar on small arms and light weapons (SA/LW) in Ouagadougou in December 2006. In July 2006, the GOBF and the United States signed an agreement for Burkina Faso’s participation in the African Contingency Operations Training and Assistance program (ACOTA.) A Strategic Training Conference was held in Ouagadougou in October 2006, producing a Training Action Plan which provides direction for follow-on ACOTA training and equipping activities with the GOBF. Burkina Faso’s ECOWAS Standby Force Headquarters staff participated in the ACOTA-ECOWAS Multinational Command Post Exercise at Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Center in December, 2006. Burundi
Burundi’s three-year transitional government came to a successful conclusion with the election and inauguration of Pierre Nkurunziza on August 26, 2005. The restoration of democratic government resulted in the lifting of sanctions under section 508 of the Foreign Operations, Export Financing and Related Programs Appropriations Act, thus making Burundi eligible for IMET and other forms of military assistance. While security and stability improved throughout Burundi in 2006, one of the last remaining rebel groups -- the National Liberation Forces (FNL) -- signed a ceasefire agreement with the government of Burundi on September 7. True implementation of the ceasefire has yet to be seen. Burundi’s challenge is completing security sector reform, right-sizing the military and police force, and providing both with the training and equipment to defeat those few rebel forces who refuse to come into the fold and confront rising crime and banditry. Despite the suspension of almost all forms of military cooperation with Burundi because of the 1993 assassination of Burundi’s first Hutu president, the subsequent civil war, and the poor human rights records of the army and rebels, the transitional government did benefit from continuing, limited military engagement in 2006. Burundi faithfully supported CENTCOM’s Golden Spear initiative - a program designed to develop a regional response mechanism for crisis prevention and disaster management in the Great Lakes Region, Horn of Africa, Egypt, and Seychelles. This initiative resulted in the official opening of the Regional Disaster Centre of Excellence in Kenya on August 15, 2005. With the lifting of section 508 sanctions we have seen a limited expansion in military-to-military engagement with Burundi. Our challenge in 2007 will be to use IMET and other funding sources to continue to help professionalize the Burundian National Defense Force (FDN), building capacity in an institution that is suffering from over a dozen years of neglect caused by the civil war and the recent integration of a largely untrained rebel force. Burundi is willing to support peacekeeping operations in Sudan and elsewhere, contingent on training in accordance with international norms. This willingness offers us an opportunity to collaborate with European partners, notably the Netherlands, to help the FDN transform and ultimately deploy in support of international peace operations. Burundi is also a member of the Economic Community of Central African States (CEEAC), and has pledged to support the AU’s Standby Brigade; to participate effectively, Burundi requires training in staff operations. This is another opportunity to focus IMET funding in an effort to encourage sub-regional organizations. Finally, we hope to use E-IMET to sponsor civil-military relations training in an effort to educate Burundi on the proper role of the military in a democratic society and avoid a repetition of Burundi’s coup history. Cameroon
U.S. goals in Cameroon support the successful transformation of Cameroonian society into a democratic, pluralistic community, with a market-based economy integrated into the world economy. Cameroon’s political stability and relative economic development make it a leading sub-regional power. Construction of the Chad-Cameroon pipeline further integrates Cameroon into the regional petroleum economy, while its geographic location and national security interests make it a potentially key partner in Gulf of Guinea maritime security programs. Cameroon’s military could play an important role in supporting regional peacekeeping initiatives and promoting peaceful resolution of border disputes with neighboring countries. This is especially true now that the Bakassi dispute with Nigeria has been resolved. Cameroon has expressed its willingness and intent to play a more active role in regional peacekeeping operations and has said it could contribute up to a battalion, though at present it would only be able to supply police in these numbers. Moreover, it is crucial to have military participation and cooperation as Cameroon undertakes additional political and economic reforms. Military training provided to Cameroon is designed to promote professional military capacity, especially regarding the ability to increase regional stability. Training priorities include leadership, maritime security, border security, and peacekeeping. Cameroon is expected to become an ACOTA partner in 2007, and will also benefit from significantly increased U.S. engagement in the Gulf of Guinea. Cameroon values IMET courses and continues to fill every available course. Cameroon has a cadet at the U.S. Air Force Academy this year and continues to seek additional training opportunities. Other IMET programs in FY 2006 sponsored reform within the Cameroonian Armed Forces through professional training for junior- to mid-level military officers. Senior level course are rarely offered, but highly sought after by the Cameroonian senior leadership. The Africa Center for Strategic Studies (ACSS) supports democratic governance in Cameroon by offering senior African civilian and military leaders a practical program in civil-military relations, national security strategy, and defense economics. ACSS participation also helps build and maintain long-term, continuing interaction with and amongst participants, and supports additional research, seminars, conferences, and other exchange activities on relevant topics in Africa, Europe, and the United States. Cameroon participated in an ACSS maritime security conference in November 2006. Also in November 2006, Cameroon hosted RECAMP V, a comprehensive staff training exercise for CEEAC forces that focused on peacekeeping and regional security. The two week exercise involved multinational and joint staffs from division to brigade to battalion level, and included all 11 CEEAC countries and some 13 Western nations. Cape Verde, Republic of
Since gaining independence in 1975, Cape Verde has maintained domestic peace, as well as continual peaceful relations with its neighbors. Its military has consistently played a constructive role in civil society. The country’s physical isolation, poverty, and limited number of educational institutions make it heavily reliant on training from other countries to develop appropriate technical proficiencies. Their military is seeking to transform itself from a heavy Soviet-model land force, to one that focuses on maritime security and crisis reaction. This force will better be able to counter the transnational threats facing Cape Verde: drug smuggling, counterterrorism, maritime disaster, and the illicit movement of persons. Seeking to strengthen its ties to Europe and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Cape Verde hosted Steadfast Jaguar 2006, a large NATO military exercise that tested the capabilities of the NATO Reaction Force. With the IMET program we are seeking to support the military’s constructive role in Cape Verde society by providing English language training and professional development to the military’s officer corps. In the EUCOM Military-to-Military Contact Program, Marine Forces Europe conducted two events. During these they discussed U.S. doctrine and procedures for Reaction Force Operations with the Cape Verde Army. This helped the Cape Verdeans form their own ideas on how best to re-organize their army. During ship visits in 2006, the U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Navy provided training to the Cape Verdean Coast Guard, and the U.S. Coast Guard participated in a combined patrol of Cape Verdean water with Cape Verdean Maritime Safety Coast Guard Riders. Central African Republic
On March 15, 2003, former military Chief of Staff General Francis Bozize seized power in a military coup from democratically elected President Ange-Felix Patasse. Bozize issued a decree suspending the constitution and other government institutions. Section 508 of the Foreign Operations, Export Financing and Related Programs Appropriations Act prohibits most direct assistance to the government of any country when the duly elected head of government is deposed by decree or military coup. In accordance with that provision, the U.S. government ended all military and other assistance covered by section 508 to the Central African Republic (CAR) in 2003, however, section 508 aid restrictions were lifted in September 2005 following the successful 2005 presidential election. The lifting of aid restrictions allowed IMET funding, and especially English-language training programs to be reinstated. In 2006, a total of $105,000 of IMET was allocated to CAR for English Language, HIV/AIDS, and basic military professionalization training. In 2007, IMET will be used for additional professionalization training with a focus on civil-military relations. Chad
Chad occupies a strategic position west of Sudan and south of Libya, sharing borders with the Central African Republic, Cameroon, Nigeria, and Niger. In the course of the last ten years, all but one of Chad’s neighbors have suffered a coup d’état or been named state supporters of terrorism. A well-disciplined, effective military under civilian control will reinforce Chad’s role as a point of relative stability in a troubled region. U.S. assistance strengthens leadership and respect for rule of law within the military, which over time will contribute to the development of a military that supports civilian control and direction of the armed forces and whose members are cognizant of their duty with respect to human rights. Such a force would have a strong influence throughout the region, and would be able to contribute constructively to regional conflict resolution and counterterrorism initiatives. The Government of Chad (GOC) feels that it has a stake in excluding potential terrorist elements from Chadian territory, particularly in as much as unsecured borders may harbor groups hostile to the current government. In March 2004, the Chadian military engaged members of the Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat (GSPC), an Algerian terrorist cell, in a firefight in northern Chad. During this skirmish more than forty GSPC and five Chadians were killed. Several of the GSPC, including their leader Al-Para, escaped and were captured by a Chadian rebel group in the Tibesti region of Chad. The GOC was instrumental in facilitating the eventual turnover of this terrorist leader to the Algerian government. The GOC has also been supportive in sharing anti-terrorism information with its partners in the War on Terror, and raising awareness of regional threats. Chad, a committed member of the Pan-Sahel Initiative (PSI), and now the Trans-Sahara Counter-Terrorism Partnership (TSCTP), has participated in several peacekeeping operations in the region and possesses the most operational airlift capability among other Sahelian countries. From June to August 2005 and again from July to September 2006, U.S. Special Forces provided training for select members of the Chadian Army in order to develop an anti-terrorism unit known today as the PSI Regiment, comprised of two PSI battalions totaling 450 soldiers. The U.S. Special Forces Joint Planning Advisory Teams (JPAT) conduct continual training with the PSI Regiment. The training focuses on small unit tactics, first aid, command and control, and cross border coordination. The end state goal of TSCTP is to enable the Government of Chad to detect and defeat existing terrorist and extremist groups as part of the War on Terror. In 2005, a key officer in the unit attended a conference on counterterrorism for junior officers. Throughout 2006, the Chadian military has been active in providing security in eastern Chad where Chadian rebels aiming to overthrow the regime have staged numerous incursions. Additional Foreign Military Financing (FMF) will be necessary to adequately support mounting USG efforts to engage with the Chadian military during the coming year. The process of restructuring the Chadian Armed Forces is ongoing. In April 2005, the Chadian military conducted an internal review and made a series of recommendations including downsizing, demobilization of soldiers, and improving professionalism. These recommendations have yet to be implemented. U.S. training supports our objectives of strengthening the rule of law and respect for human rights within the security forces. A well-trained and professional military is crucial to Chad’s democratic development and stability. Chad’s oil production is attracting attention from foreign businesses; improved security and rule of law will promote domestic and foreign investment in Chad. In 2005, two Chadians participated in seminars on security issues in oil producing countries, and a Chadian officer and the head of the National Assembly’s Budget Committee are part of another Africa Center for Strategic Studies (ACSS) seminar on budgeting and managing security resources. Comoros
A small island nation in the Indian Ocean, the Union of Comoros has a history of political instability and military intervention in politics. This background has given particular importance to U.S. efforts to promote democracy and stability in Comoros and to strengthen the professionalism of the Comorian Defense Force, including respect for civilian control. A modest IMET program for Comoros is an important element in U.S. policy toward, and bilateral relations with, the Comorian government, particularly since the United States has no resident diplomatic presence in the Comoros. Comoros is a Muslim country with historic trade ties to the Middle East that condemned the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States. In addition to strengthening democracy, enhancing Comoros’ counterterrorism capabilities is a USG priority. In April 1999, Comoros experienced a military coup that overthrew the civilian government elected in March 1996. Assistance to Comoros was suspended consistent with section 508 of the Foreign Operations, Export Financial and Related Programs Appropriations Act until December 2003, following the previous year’s flawed but fair presidential election. In 2006, Ahmed Abdallah Sambi, a Sunni Muslim cleric, was elected President in what is regarded as Comoros’ first free and fair democratic elections and peaceful transfer of power. The IMET program received an allocation of $82,000 in FY 2005 and continued in FY 2006 with $53,000. Goals of the training program included inculcating the proper role of the military in a democracy in order to reduce the likelihood of inappropriate military involvement in politics. The program also sought to strengthen military and civil capabilities in the areas of counterterrorism, drug/weapon trafficking and illegal immigration, and improve the English language capabilities of the military to promote greater interaction with the United States and other militaries in the region. Comorian soldiers continued to train at the English lab opened in 2004 and participated in military exercises organized by the Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa (CJTF - HOA). The FY 2005 IMET program funded a military officer to attend a five-month intelligence training program at Fort Huachuca. He is currently the military and counterterrorism advisor to the Comorian president. A counterterrorism section is in the process of being established within the Defense Ministry and will be headed by the senior military officer. Comoros received a modest appropriation in FY 2006 Foreign Military Financing funds earmarked for maritime security. Comorian maritime laws are not enforced, and the nation’s porous coastline and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) are entirely unmonitored due to the lack of a coastal defense force. This appropriation addresses these issues by providing Comoros with some semblance of a coastal defense force. The Africa Center for Strategic Studies (ACSS) supports democratic governance in Comoros by offering senior African civilian and military leaders a practical program in civil-military relations, national security strategy, and defense economics. ACSS participation also helps build and maintain long-term, continued interaction with and among participants, and supports additional research, seminars, conferences, and other exchange activities on relevant topics in Africa, Europe, and the United States. Cote d'Ivoire
Until late 1999, Cote d’Ivoire had experienced a level of political stability and economic growth that made it a model for its neighbors. With the third largest economy in sub-Saharan Africa, it was the economic engine for the sub-region. The Ivorian Armed Forces had begun to participate in the African Crisis Response Initiative (ACRI), and Cote d’Ivoire had established an important regional center for peacekeeping training. But the country’s era of tranquility ended with a military coup in December 1999 that ousted the elected government of President Henri Konan Bedie. Since then, Cote d’Ivoire has been in a state of political upheaval. Ten months after the coup, scores of people died in violence associated with the deeply flawed elections that brought current President Laurent Gbagbo to power. On September 19, 2002, an armed rebellion erupted, splitting the country in two. Although rebels and the government eventually signed a cease-fire and formed a government of national reconciliation, the country remains divided. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and France sent peacekeeping troops to help stabilize the situation and implement a peace agreement concluded in January 2003. In 2004, the ECOWAS forces became the core of the United Nations Operation in Cote d’Ivoire (ONUCI), a UN Peacekeeping Mission. In June of 2005, the United Nations increased the size of the peacekeeping force and adjusted the ONUCI mandate to assist with upcoming elections. In 2006, the United Nations authorized an increase in the force strength by 1500 troops. As of this writing, the 2003 peace agreement and subsequent agreements have yet to be fully implemented and disarmament of former combatants has not begun. Bilateral assistance to Cote d’Ivoire was suspended consistent with section 508 of the Foreign Operations, Export Financing and Related Programs Appropriations Act, which restricts direct assistance to the government of any country whose duly elected head of government is deposed by decree or military coup until such time as the President determines and certifies to Congress that a democratically elected government has taken office. A Presidential election was originally scheduled to take place in October 2005. However, because of the continuing crisis and a failure to undertake election preparations, the UN Security Council approved a postponement of the election until October 2006 and, then again, until October 2007. If eligible and not otherwise restricted, Cote d’Ivoire’s participation during FY 2007 in Africa Center for Strategic Studies programs and potential E-IMET training stressing good governance, civilian rule, the rule of law, and democracy will be considered as those seminars are scheduled, taking into consideration if and how the rebellion is resolved. These types of programs support democratic governance throughout the region by offering senior African civilian and military leaders a practical program in civil-military relations, national security strategy, and defense economics. Participation in these types of events also helps build and maintain long-term, continuing interaction with and amongst participants, and supports additional research, seminars, conferences, and other exchange activities on relevant topics in Africa, Europe, and the United States. Language training continues in-country on a much reduced and limited basis at both the National Gendarme School and at the Armed Forces Headquarters. However, given the lack of potential for IMET-funded schooling, English language training has been reduced to a part-time endeavor by those students willing to undertake instruction during non-duty hours and on a voluntary basis. All costs associated with this training are borne by the Ivorian government. Equipment and books are obsolete and once IMET is recommenced, will need to be replaced. Because of the war, the language lab in Bouake is no longer operational. Democratic Republic of Congo
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is transitioning from a transitional government to a democratic republic based on a parliamentary system of government with an elected president as its head. Voter registration for Congo’s first democratic elections took place in early to mid-2006. The Independent Electoral Commission, charged with organizing elections, is operational in all of the DRC’s eleven provinces, and the election process enjoys broad political support among transitional players. With the help of the international community, as represented by the Committee to Accompany the Transition (CIAT), police are being trained to provide security for elections, and the army is being restructured to break preexisting links with political party leaders. Despite two survey processes currently underway (one conducted by South Africa, the other by the Congolese military), the exact size of the DRC military is unknown, although experts now believe that the number of soldiers is closer to 150,000 than to the 300,000 originally estimated; and that number could further decline as some current military members take advantage of the ongoing demobilization program. The vast majority of the Congolese military are army personnel, with a small air force and navy. The Congolese Armed Force (FARDC) currently have 14 Integrated Brigades, each with approximately 3,000 soldiers. The military is also trying, again with international assistance, to better define appropriate missions and to address logistical problems, such as regular payment of salaries and food rations. The international community hopes that as the size of the military continues to decrease, it will be possible to use the existing military budget to increase the basic salary for soldiers, thereby bringing them up to a minimum living standard. While the main mission of the restructured Congolese Armed Forces will be to defend the country’s borders, the military will likely also be tasked to provide domestic disaster relief and designated humanitarian operations. At this time the DRC is largely incapable of securing and defending its borders, coastal waterways, and territorial waters. Poor maritime, airport and border security, corruption, and weak to non-existent infrastructure and laws make the DRC a potential haven for transnational terrorists, smugglers, and traffickers of all sorts. Democratic reform and human rights are the most significant U.S. interests in the Democratic Republic of Congo, followed by concern for the humanitarian situation, protection of American citizens, and global issues including promoting health and economic development. Sustaining a peaceful democracy contributes to U.S. humanitarian interests and regional security by creating the mechanisms for peaceful resolution of disputes and by providing a fertile environment to foster a growing economy. Using limited FMF and IMET funds, Post has reestablished a military English language lab in the DRC, provided English language instructor and laboratory technician training, and funded Mobile Training Team (MTT) visits. The DRC continues to be eligible to receive Excess Defense Articles (EDA) on a grant basis under section 516 of the Foreign Assistance Act. The USG looks at ways, given availability of materials, to use the EDA program to support Congolese military equipment and restructuring needs. The priority for our military assistance programs will continue to be to support the modernization and professionalization of the FARDC, leaning heavily toward creation of a moderate force trained to carry out and support regional and international peace keeping operations. With an end of FY 2006 supplemental the USG trained and enhanced the FARDC’s Military Law and Military Justice programs. Other objectives include enhancing the FARDC’s ability to react to natural disasters and carry out humanitarian operations, and increasing interoperability with regional and international forces - mainly through development of a robust English language training program. Program objectives also seek to contribute to the development of a professional officer and noncommissioned officer corps. The DRC in FY 2006 continued participation in United States government-funded programs such as the Africa Center for Strategic Studies (ACSS) seminars. ACSS supports democratic governance in the DRC by offering senior government civilian and military leaders a practical program in civil-military relations, national security strategy, and defense economics. ACSS participation also helps build and maintain long-term, continuing interaction with and amongst participants, and supports additional research, seminars, conferences, and other exchange activities on relevant topics in Africa, Europe, and the United States. Djibouti
Djibouti, strategically located at the entrance to the Red Sea, next to Somalia and facing Yemen, is the home of the only U.S. military base in Sub-Saharan Africa (Camp Lemonier). It also hosts France’s largest military base overseas. Djibouti has played a strategic role in the War on Terror (WOT) and currently has forces from eight countries (Germany, United Kingdom, France, Romania, Kenya, Pakistan, South Korea, and the United States) participating in the coalition effort against terrorism. It also serves as the main seaport for Ethiopia – which has also been a staunch ally in the war on terrorism. Annually, emergency food aid from the United States passes through the Port of Djibouti to Ethiopia. Djibouti has become an important refueling point for U.S. military aircraft and a training area for U.S. military personnel as well as ships and aircraft. The new Doraleh Port facility, where the U.S. Navy has leased several storage tanks, will support refueling of naval vessels and markedly increase the number of U.S. Navy ship visits to Djibouti. This will make Djibouti one of the more active African ports for U.S. naval vessel activity. The Port of Doraleh began operations in early 2006. Bouffard French military hospital is a key trauma care center in the area and helped stabilize victims after the terrorist attack on the USS Cole in October 2000. IMET training is a core program for Djibouti and has been one of the most successful programs in the region. Graduates now hold key policy and operational positions within the Djiboutian military, including chief of staff and major command positions. Djiboutian mid- and senior-grade officers have attended Command and General Staff, and War College courses. Access to this highly supportive Arab League nation and critical base of support for the U.S. military merits our serious commitment to the continuation and expansion of the IMET program. IMET helps U.S. strategic interests by expanding relations and our influence in a frontline state in the WOT. The Djiboutians benefit from the training in meeting their core objectives of creating a professional and well-trained force with shared commitments to democratic values and security objectives. Djibouti’s strategic position adjacent to the Bab el Mandeb strait provides the United States access, basing, and over-flight rights. Djibouti works closely with the Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) to prosecute the WOT. The Regional Defense Combating Terrorism Fellowship Program (CTFP) continues to foster bilateral relations with Djiboutian Armed Forces and is an integral part of U.S. Central Command’s Theater Security Cooperation Strategy. The CTFP helps to promote access, while serving overall U.S. strategic interests associated with this important littoral nation. The Africa Center for Strategic Studies (ACSS) has become an important complement to IMET in exposing senior Djiboutian leaders to core U.S. values on civil-military relations and national security and defense concerns. This program also enhances interaction between our countries, and expansion of this program will promote closer bilateral cooperation and trust. Equatorial Guinea
To date, virtually all forms of military assistance to Equatorial Guinea have remained suspended. In the past two years, some genuine progress has been made in the EG government’s historically poor human rights record, governance problems, and democratic reforms. However, the country’s leadership and political power have continued to remain in the hands of a small group headed by President Teodoro Obiang. The legitimacy of this group is questionable, as it has held power without meaningful opposition since a successful coup in 1979. Consequently, no military-to-military engagements with EG have taken place, except for occasional participation at the Africa Center for Strategic Studies (ACSS) and at Gulf of Guinea conferences. Beginning in November 2006, a permanent Ambassador, Donald C. Johnson, is now in place at the Embassy in Malabo, and he wishes to build slowly on the results of a recent visit by a USEUCOM general officer to the EG military leadership, which clearly conveyed the steps they need to take in order to qualify for bilateral military programs. Equatorial Guinea has taken some steps already, and appears amenable to continue on this path, especially with strong and consistent U.S. encouragement and pressure. As Equatorial Guinea’s oil production continues to surge, to the point of it being the third largest source of oil in Sub-Saharan Africa and of increasing importance to the U.S. energy supply, both the military and the civilian leadership are more acutely aware of the need for greater security in the Gulf of Guinea. All of the production rigs are offshore and vulnerable, and Ambassador Johnson feels that we can use this leverage to push the country into more meaningful reform, beginning perhaps in the first quarter of 2007. He recommends starting with basic IMET programs, and progressing from there as warranted by results. Continued and increased participation in ACSS programs would also become more important, as they contribute to long-term improvements in defining the military’s role in developing democratic governance. Further, the country has the resources to contribute strongly to maritime security in the region. Ethiopia
Ethiopia is arguably the key to U.S. security interests in the Horn of Africa, a turbulent region threatened by Islamic fundamentalism and terrorism. Ethiopia remains a staunch ally in the war on terrorism and the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) has been our most effective partner in the counter-terrorist fight within the region. Ethiopia’s internal stability and its role as a regional and international leader remain critical for the stability of the Horn as a whole. The long-term goal of transforming the Ethiopian military into a professional, apolitical modern force remains important. The ENDF is one of, if not the most capable military forces in sub-Saharan Africa and has clearly established itself as the dominant military power within the Horn of Africa. In 2006, Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) continued to use Foreign Military Financing (FMF) to train ENDF company-size units in counterterrorism skills and large groups of individual soldiers in border logistics skills using FMF. This effort will pay dividends in controlling the region’s volatile and porous borders and enabling the host nation to strike trans-national terrorist networks when and where they are found. Further, the Ethiopians have a long history of successful participation in United Nations military efforts, spanning the spectrum from the Korean War to combating genocide in Rwanda. Ethiopia currently has a reinforced battalion (900 soldiers) deployed to Burundi as peacekeepers in the UN Mission in Burundi (formerly the African Union (AU) African Mission in Burundi (AMIB)). This battalion was the first Ethiopian battalion trained under the African Contingency Operations Training and Assistance (ACOTA) program. Affirming their commitment to international peacekeeping, Ethiopia has also deployed over 2,000 peacekeepers to Liberia for the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL). In FY 2006 ACOTA training continued focusing on train-the-trainer training to build Ethiopia’s own peacekeeping training capability. Ethiopia has peacekeeping battalions deployed in Liberia as part of UNMIL and in Burundi. Ethiopia rotates its peacekeeping battalions every six months. Ethiopia’s own cadre of ACOTA-trained trainers now trains their own battalions to rotate to Burundi or Liberia or to be available for future peacekeeping missions. However, the ENDF has asked for additional assistance to enhance the capability of their peacekeeping trainers, specifically to provide simulation software that ACOTA trainers use. In FY 2006 under ACOTA, the USG monitored and mentored the Ethiopian cadre of trainers as they trained two more battalions, provided battalion-level equipment for their peacekeeping units, and built toward ACOTA’s goal of a sub-regional multi-lateral peacekeeping exercise. As principally a former-guerrilla army, the ENDF lacks strong organic training institutions – a deficiency of which the Ethiopian senior leadership is painfully aware and is working hard to correct. Not only does this lack of formal military schooling hinder the professional growth of the military, it drastically reduces proper use of defense resources, which is critical to a poor nation like Ethiopia. During the past several years, the Ethiopians have increasingly turned to the U.S. military for assistance in addressing these shortcomings. The ENDF Chief of General Staff requested U.S. military assistance in helping reform the Ministry of National Defense. U.S. Army Central Command (ARCENT) has sent several mobile training teams (MTTS), specifically the Law of Land Warfare and Human Rights, the Role of the Military Lawyer, and Public Affairs, to assist this reform effort. IMET assists in increasing the professionalism of the Ethiopian military and strengthens the U.S.-Ethiopian military relationship. The focus of the IMET program in Ethiopia is on building host-nation training institutions. Increasing the English-speaking capability of the military is achieving this by training instructors at U.S. military training institutions and by bringing U.S. military trainers to Ethiopia. The ACOTA training management workshop and drafting of the ENDF training doctrine have also assisted greatly in specifically addressing the ENDF’s training shortcomings. The ENDF requested U.S. assistance using FMF to help establish their own Command and General Staff College and National War College for professional military education of mid-rank and senior officers. During FY 2006 a MTT augmented ENDF instructors completing the first ever Command and Staff College course, and in the fall of 2007 another MTT is scheduled to provide train-the-trainer and full-time instruction to the Command and Staff College. FMF provided the funds for this significant project that will pay great dividends in the future for the U.S. military’s interoperability with the Ethiopians and the long-term professionalization of the ENDF. Enhancing ENDF professionalism will better position them for the future in the war on terrorism. Ethiopia has taken an aggressive stance against terrorism in Somalia and has supported the United States with operational access and invaluable intelligence sharing. Ethiopia’s participation in the Regional Defense Combating Terrorism Fellowship Program (CTFP) strengthens U.S. and Ethiopian bilateral relations, especially in areas of counterterrorism training and education. The ENDF continues to work closely with, and enjoys ever-increasing interoperability with, CJTF-HOA in the prosecution of the War on Terror. The ENDF sent liaison officers back to CJTF-HOA and to CENTCOM Headquarters in the winter of FY 2006. The Marshall Center, National Defense University, and the Africa Center for Strategic Studies (ACSS) supports democratic governance in Ethiopia by offering senior African civilian and military leaders a practical program in civil-military relations, national security strategy, and defense economics. Senior Ethiopian civilian and military leaders continue to benefit from participation in these events and conferences. Participation also helps build and maintain long-term, continuing interaction with and amongst participants, and supports additional research, seminars, conferences, and other exchange activities on relevant topics in Africa, Europe, and the United States. On a regional scale, Ethiopia participated in U.S. Central Command’s annual regional seminar, GOLDEN SPEAR 06, in Nairobi, Kenya. GOLDEN SPEAR brings together senior military and civilian leaders from eleven east African countries focused on disaster preparedness and management. Ethiopia plans to continue future participation. ACSS opened its first satellite office in Addis Ababa in September 2006. The scourge of HIV/AIDS transcends political and geographic boundaries, making it more a global humanitarian issue rather than only a medical one. The training support provided through OSD’s HIV/AIDS Prevention Program to ENDF medical personnel is not limited to the transfer of skills and knowledge during the duration of training. It has developed into a network of close person-to-person professional contacts, establishment of bilateral research studies, and access to ENDF military hospitals. This has established an effective, tightly knit team of American and Ethiopian military health professionals working together on common issues. Every indication is that the HIV prevalence rate within the Ethiopian military remains lower than that of the general population, a rare, if not unique, situation in sub-Saharan Africa. Gabon
The Gabonese Republic is a politically stable and influential regional leader. President Bongo has led mediation efforts in several neighboring conflicts. These efforts include the conflict in the Central African Republic where Gabon has led the peacekeeping mission of the Economic and Monetary Community of Central African States (CEMAC) and where G | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
