U.S. begins controversial training of African armies

(GIN)—The U.S. Africa Command has begun training dozens of African armies in a program designed to improve communications by establishing a network linking their command and control structures. It is taking place in Gabon, where several deaths were recorded during violent protests last month over suspected fraud in an election carried by the son of the late President Omar Bongo.

Some 30 African divisions are reportedly taking the training, along with delegations from the African Union and the Economic Community of West African States.

“What’s going on there is a exercise where nations… want to be more capable in conducting peacekeeping and other operations,” General William Ward said in defense of the exercise called “African Endeavor,” which brings together military personnel from more than 25 nations.

AFRICOM, launched during the Bush administration, was viewed with suspicion by most African governments wary of U.S. military bases in Africa in the thick of the fight against terrorism in Iraq and Afghanistan.

This is part of the October 14, 2009 online edition of Frost Illustrated.

Have an opinion on this matter? We'd like to hear from you. Click here.