The role of AFRICOM in promoting peace and security in Africa

Abstract

The establishment of AFRICOM has triggered a discourse in the US and abroad and at the centre of the argument were the planned capacity and the potential advantages and dis-advantages of an enlarged and more enduring US military presence in Africa. Although, there has been an emerging partnership between the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) and various African states and regional economic communities, it is not clear in what way AFRICOM has contributed in promoting peace and security on the African continent by cooperating with the African Union (AU) and its organs since its inauguration in 2007. To address this issue the purpose of this study is to explore to what extend AFRICOM support to the African Union Peace and Security Council strengthen peace and security on the African continent. To gather data, a literature review, interviews with officials and subject specialised will be conducted. Data collected from a condensed questionnaire will also be used to gather data. The data collected led to the following themes: US Strategic interest and support to strengthen African peace and security initiatives, the purpose and role of AFRICOM in Africa, the relationship between the US Africa Command and the African Union Peace and Security Council and in particular the African Union Peace and Security Architecture, the impact of AFRICOM in promoting peace and security on the African continent according to a South African perspective. These themes will be useful for understanding the role of AFRICOM in promoting peace and security in Africa.