US Africa Command Area of Responsibility

Area of Responsibility Family and Marriage Political Systems Economic Systems US InterestsOverview

Geography – 2nd largest continent – 11.6 mil square miles: 20% of Earth’s land – Longest river (Nile) & largest desert (Sahara) – 54 countries: does not include Egypt (CENTCOM) Accounts for 14% of world’s population Area of Responsibility

Family Importance – The most important social unit – Identity: – Clear Roles – Expected to share resources, hospitality, food, etc. Family & Marriage

Marriage and Procreation – Children represent the bond between their parent’s families – The number of children is a source of pride and prestige Represent continued flow of life Represent continued flow of life Children also valued as a source of labor when necessary Children also valued as a source of labor when necessary

Family & Marriage Women – Perform most domestic tasks; care for children, sick and elderly; grow and harvest food – Traditionally limited access to education and subservient to men by custom or law – Status improving in most communities

Colonial Period – Europeans colonized & drew boundaries – Ethnic groups: Some divided up to 4 different countries Some opposing groups in single states – Conflict, war, & devastation Authoritarian Rule – Europeans undermined & devalued African people – Backed political corruption with military Political Systems

Civil Conflicts – Central African Wars: Rwanda 1994 – Democratic Republic of Congo: 1 million killed – Africa’s First World War Organization of African Unity in 1963 Independence – Under-educated/ill-prepared to establish gov’t – Problems with boundaries – Many types of gov’t Political Systems

Vast Potential Wealth – People – Natural Resources Most Underdeveloped – 70% live in rural areas or small villages – Most are farmers – small plots of land Economic Systems

Traditional Jobs: fishing, herding, hunting, etc. Large City Migration High Unemployment Income – 50% live on < $1 a day Economic Systems

Oil & Global Trade – Natural resources dominate products from Africa – Supply same amount of crude oil as Middle East 5 th largest supplier to US World oil prices affected by Nigeria & Libya Maritime Security – Illegal fishing, trafficking, & piracy – Inadequate policing of waters – Piracy & sabotage of oil production facilities US Interests

Armed Conflicts – Political conflict & instability results in human suffering & undermined development – Most of UN peace operations – Lack ability to militarily participate in efforts Violent Extremism – Counter-terrorism efforts – Terrorist attacks on US embassies – Kidnapping, trafficking, under-governed areas US Interests

HIV/AIDS – 22 mil HIV = 67% of infected worldwide – Leading cause of death High infection rate of African security forces Inability to deploy forces – President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) US Interests

Area of Responsibility Family and Marriage Political Systems Economic Systems US InterestsSummary