Get To Know a Federal Agency – U.S. Africa Command
There are 630 federal departments, agencies, and commissions. Approximately 400 have regulatory power. Half could be eliminated and most of the nation wouldn’t notice. The loss of liberty in the United States is proportional to the size and scope of the federal government. The larger the federal government gets; the fewer the rights the states, and the people, retain. ~ Ed Haas
For centuries, Africa has been synonymous with an abundance of natural resources. From diamonds to oil, the continent is rich beyond measure, yet paradoxically some of the poorest nations on Earth call Africa home. The legacy of colonialism still looms large, and modern exploitation continues through complex networks of corruption and bribes, leading to the ever-widening chasm of inequality. As African nations navigate this complicated landscape, there is an urgent call for change, accountability, and sustainable management of resources.
A key player in this dynamic is the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), an expansive military entity established in 2007 that aims to safeguard U.S. interests in the region while grappling with the continent’s intricate historical backdrop of colonialization and exploitation.
The Legacy of Exploitation
Africa’s vast reserves of minerals, oil, and other vital natural resources make it a focal point for international investors and foreign nations. However, this wealth has often been a double-edged sword. Colonial powers historically exploited these resources, drawing boundaries that disregarded ethnic divisions and prompting decades-long conflicts. Despite various nations in Africa gaining independence, the shadows of past miseries still loom large, compounded by new challenges such as corruption and bribery.
The United States has increasingly become involved in Africa’s natural resource sector, not only to counter the influence of rivals but also to help stabilize various nations of strategic interest. This multifaceted engagement includes military collaborations designed to secure safe, stable, and transparent environments that entice foreign direct investment.
AFRICOM’s Mission and Involvement
AFRICOM operates with a mission that emphasizes stability and development, guided by three fundamental efforts: partnership, readiness, and innovation. The command has worked to support African nations in combating terrorism, and trafficking, while promoting respect for human rights and democracy.
Recent operations have seen joint exercises and training programs in numerous African countries aimed at improving security force capabilities. For example, in September, thousands of troops from across the continent participated in a synchronized military exercise focused on countering jihadist threats and ensuring humanitarian assistance capabilities.
While these programs are designed to foster stability, critics sometimes view AFRICOM’s mission through a lens colored by a history perceived as neocolonialism or inadvertent economic imperialism. These concerns reinforce the argument that U.S. interests may manifest as a modern-day form of exploitation, permitting foreign entities to benefit directly from Africa’s resources while partnering with local governments often plagued by issues of governance.
U.S. Africa Command is responsible to the Secretary of Defense for U.S. military relations with 53 African countries, including the Islands of Cape Verde, Equatorial Guinea and Sao Tome and Principe, and the Indian Ocean islands of Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius, and Seychelles. U.S. Central Command maintains its traditional relationship with Egypt, but AFRICOM coordinates with Egypt on issues relating to Africa security. AFRICOM’s area of responsibility (AOR) includes an area that includes about 35 percent of the world’s land mass and 25 percent of its population.[1]
Corruption and Ethical Dilemmas
The dynamics between foreign investments and local governance frequently give way to ethical dilemmas. Studies show a significant correlation between natural resource wealth and corruption. In countries like Angola and Nigeria, bribes and kickbacks frequently disrupt equitable allocation of resources, leaving vast populations entrenched in poverty.
Some policy analysts have criticized U.S. support for governments that may not commit to the ethical utilization of their nation’s wealth yet possess strategic geographic or influence benefits. This conundrum poses ongoing challenges for AFRICOM, as its officials navigate supporting legitimate governments while promoting transparency and anti-corruption initiatives.
Modern Exploitation and Corruption
The economic and political systems in many African countries remain vulnerable to exploitation. Today, foreign corporations, often supported by political elites through opaque agreements, continue to extract resources largely untouched by legal scrutiny. For instance, reports by international watchdogs illustrate thousands of instances where mining rights and oil contracts have been awarded without competitive bidding and proper regulatory oversight. Such deals are frequently lubricated by a culture of bribery, where companies funnel money into the hands of corrupt officials to secure incredibly lucrative contracts.
Tshethu Nkosi, a researcher at the African Institute for Policy Analysis, notes, “It is often the poorest citizens who pay the highest price for the resource curse. While countries like Zambia or the Democratic Republic of Congo have vast mineral wealth, much of the population remains mired in poverty while a small elite profits immensely.”
Case Studies of Resource Exploitation
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Examining specific instances sheds light on the alarming trends rooted in Africa’s resource sector. The scenario around Nigeria’s oil industry is perhaps one of the most infamous cases. According to the Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), billions of dollars in oil revenues are unaccounted for each year, with a considerable portion believed to line the pockets of government officials and foreign executives rather than contribute to the nation’s economic development.
Another compelling example lies within mineral-rich Congo, where gold, cobalt, and coltan extraction has been linked to both humanitarian crises and environmental degradation. Reports indicate that 60% of gold production goes undocumented, while alarming research connects minerals exploiting illegal mining operations backed by armed groups, contributing to ongoing conflicts and human rights abuses.
This pattern extends to the burgeoning lithium mines in Zimbabwe and rare earth mineral extraction in South Africa, both of which have sparked public outcry due to environmental concerns, labor rights violations, and continual disenfranchisement of local communities.
Cultural Pillars and Local Insights
Amplifying its efforts means recognizing the significant cultural symptoms of colonialization. The United States has been judged harshly in how its military approach resonates with African citizens. Therefore, AFRICOM has increasingly sought to adopt strategies geared towards community engagement and respect for local customs.
The extraction of resources became a hallmark of colonial dominance, a process that not only stripped Africa of its wealth but also deeply uprooted its cultural and social fabric. Colonial powers aren’t the only actors involved in exploitation today—multinational corporations and local elites play a significant role in the ongoing pillaging of Africa’s bounties. Consequently, the importance of tailoring operations to social contexts cannot be understated.
The Road Ahead
As U.S. Africa Command ventures into a complex future, its role becomes increasingly indispensable yet doubles as a delicate balancing act. Containing strategic threats while promoting genuine economic development emerges as a paramount objective. Acknowledging Africa’s rich history—one marred by exploitation—will be crucial in fostering mutual respect.
While AFRICOM continues to serve U.S. interests in the region, it faces the dual pressure of addressing historical grievances and emerging challenges related to governance and resource management. Collaboration based on equality and accountability, with attention to lessons learned from the tumultuous past, may be the key to solidifying secure, prosperous futures for all partners involved.
In the end, ensuring Africa can tap into its resources while respecting its history without falling into the trap of exploitation may prove to be the most significant challenge for the partnership dynamics that lie ahead. The world will be watching closely as these relationships evolve amidst Africa’s rich tapestry of possibilities and perils.
Conclusion
AFRICOM is in the nation building business – both for strategic and humanitarian purposes. Nation building takes a lot of time and money. Most often, it’s not well received by the local populations. Trust gained can vanish in an instant. The United States spends billions of dollars annually in Africa. Whether this is money well spent is debatable. However, China and Russia are on the continent too. If the United States removed itself from Africa, China and Russia would rapidly fill the space.
As Africa continues to integrate into the global economy, the lessons from the past must guide its path forward. The injustice stemming from colonial exploitation and modern corruption presents a compelling narrative that captures the intricacies of the current resource landscape. Ultimately, unlocking Africa’s sustainable potential may rely less on its resources alone and more on embracing the responsibility that comes with managing them wisely.
Whether AFRICOM is engaged in colonial exploitation or unleashing Africa’s sustainable potential depends on who you ask. For the United States, foreign engagements too often become expensive foreign entanglements. In 2007, Lt. Cmdr. Joe Carpenter with the Department of Defense Public Affairs office said of the United States presence in Africa, “While the future desire is to place the command’s headquarters in Africa, the United States has no intention of establishing permanent bases in the region”. Fast-forward 18 years and the United States now has military bases in 4 countries in Africa. (Djibouti, Kenya, Egypt, Cameroon).
The United States had a 5th base located in Niger. After Niger’s coup in 2023 the military government told the U.S. to get out. The US military completed its withdrawal from Niger on September 15, 2024.
[1] Africa Command (AFRICOM), GlobalSecurity.org, https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/dod/africom.htm [Accessed November 20, 2024]
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