African armies begin training in Gabon

  1. Posted on Saturday 3 October 2009 - 11:20
    Mforgham
    Image of Mforgham
    Solomon Tembang Mforgham, AfricaNews reporter in Limbe, Cameroon
    Dozens African armies are training in Gabon on military communications under the US Africa Command, AFRICOM. The programme seeks to improve communications between African armies by establishing a network linking their command and control structures to better prepare for joint operations.
    soldiers
    Reports say the exercise will through October 8 involve nearly 30 African militaries along with delegations from the African Union and the Economic Community of West African States.

    It is worth noting that this is the third annual training exercise and field test of communications systems following earlier Africa Endeavour programmes in South Africa and Nigeria.

    Admiral Herve Namboundouani who leads the organising committee for this year’s exercise is quoted as saying each nation has different equipment, so it is important to be able to work together and communicate with other forces in peacekeeping missions.

    Meanwhile the Africa Endeavour programme, reports say, is meant to act as a catalyst for a coordinated response to African security challenges as the African Union develops standard practices and procedures for its Standby Force.

    According to U.S. officials, information sharing is critical to improving cooperation in joint peacekeeping interventions and humanitarian assistance missions both inside and outside Africa.

    The creation of AFRICOM during the Bush Administration was viewed with suspicion by some African governments wary of U.S. military bases in Africa in the thick of the fight against terrorism in Iraq and Afghanistan.

    The U.S. Africa Command took charge of an existing base in Djibouti as well as Defense Department personnel at embassies and diplomatic missions. But it has not opened any new bases and has kept its headquarters in Germany.

    AFRICOM is responsible for U.S. military relations with all African nations except Egypt. The U.S. Central Command maintains its long-standing relationship with Egypt, but AFRICOM coordinates with the government in Cairo on issues of African security.

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