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US Africa Command Area of Responsibility

US Africa Command Area of Responsibility. Overview. Area of Responsibility Family and Marriage Political Systems Economic Systems US Interests. Area of Responsibility. Geography 2nd largest continent 11.6 mil square miles: 20% of Earth’s land

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US Africa Command Area of Responsibility

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  1. US Africa CommandArea of Responsibility

  2. Overview • Area of Responsibility • Family and Marriage • Political Systems • Economic Systems • US Interests

  3. Area of Responsibility • 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

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

  5. 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 • Children also valued as a source of labor when necessary

  6. 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 mostcommunities

  7. Political Systems • 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

  8. 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

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

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

  11. US Interests • Oil & Global Trade • Natural resources dominate products from Africa • Supply same amount of crude oil as Middle East • 5th 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

  12. 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

  13. 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)

  14. Summary • Area of Responsibility • Family and Marriage • Political Systems • Economic Systems • US Interests

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