Wednesday, July 21, 2010

General Ward Outlines U.S. Mission, Challenges in Africa

WASHINGTON, D.C., Jul 21, 2010 — As U.S. Africa Command matures and strengthens ties with African nations, American interests on the continent become more stable, the command's top officer said July 20, 2010.
U.S. AFRICOM was established in October 2007 to "add value" to African nations by improving their military capacities and to help nations achieve their short- and long-term goals, Army General William E. "Kip" Ward said during remarks at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, D.C. He discussed progress and challenges and explained the strategic importance of the continent to global security.Many African nations struggle with democratic processes, political reform, civil conflict and reconstruction issues, Ward noted. Despite those challenges, Africa presents tremendous opportunity, he said.Much of the continent's development progress is hindered by corruption, weak governance and drug and human trafficking, Ward explained. Also, the growing population faces challenges in food and security. However, those concerns are "not absolute barriers," he said.Good governance and reliable militaries prove to counter such concerns, Ward said. Several nations have become well-respected, international partners dedicated to peacekeeping, he added."Good governance ... fosters change in stability that allows the U.S. and Africa, across all spectrums to build trust (and) pursue mutual interests toward lasting relationships," Ward said. "Africans are steadily taking ownership in addressing existing security challenges. It means that, over time, we can work more effectively together to further these mutual interests."African nations have the potential to be great, long-term security partners, the general said. But some are more dependent on outside resources, he added."The greater issue is not that challenges exist in Africa," he said. "Africans lack the means to wholly and fully confront them."In some cases, Ward explained, resources are available within African nations but are not aligned to address the challenges. Also, sometimes opportunities for progress are not well understood, he said, adding that developing a stable economy and government need as much focus as security."I get asked all the time: What are you going to do about Somalia? What are you going to do about Sudan? What are you going to do
about the Democratic Republic of the Congo? What are you going to do about Liberia?" the general said.

"It's also important to look at Africa in terms of the opportunity that exists," he said. "Economic development, governance, security initiatives and the continent's geopolitical role will both improve the lives of Africans and build a foundation for a stronger, longer friendship (and) cooperation between the nations of Africa and the United States, all the while promoting an environment where American lives are more secure."
Such effects will be felt abroad and in the United States, anywhere American interests are promoted, General Ward said. The strategic importance of Africa is about stability and growth, which is in the best interest of the United States, he added."Since the command's inception, we routinely heard phrases like, 'African solutions to African problems,'" he said. "While that theme still resonates, U.S. efforts to help Africans address their challenges focus ... on a combination of diplomatic, developmental and defense engagement - programs that help build capacity, that foster African ownership."The command, Ward said, prides itself on the ability to "listen and learn" from African nations."We had to get out of our foxholes, go down range and look back at what we were doing from the perspective of our most-important partners, the Africans," he said. "After hundreds of engagements with African political and military leaders, as well as members of civil society, there were several common themes of what the Africans wanted in terms of their long-term security interests."
AFRICOM is primarily concerned with building military forces, the general said, acknowledging the importance of ground, sea and air military capabilities. However, he added, broader capabilities also are needed.
"Police, border patrols, coast guard, customs, immigration, air/space management, courts, law; all these are lined against the challenges and threats the partner nations face," Ward said. "Sufficient freedom from political violence is needed to allow real progress to take root."Conditions must be set for Africans to address short-term challenges, so long-term objectives can be pursued, he said."This is clearly a long-term endeavor," Ward said. "Development or transformation of security capacity does not happen overnight, and in many cases will happen on an African, not an American, timetable."

Source: U.S. Air Force

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Ex-Somali Police Commissioner General Mohamed Abshir

Ex-Somali Police Commissioner  General Mohamed Abshir

Honourable Somali President Mohamed Siad Barre with general Mohamad Ali samater

Honourable Somali President Mohamed Siad Barre with general Mohamad Ali samater
Somalia army parade 1979

Sultan Kenadid

Sultan Kenadid
Sultanate of Obbia

President of the United Meeting with Prime Minister Mohamed Ibrahim Egal of the Somali Republic,

Seyyid Muhammad Abdille Hassan

Seyyid Muhammad Abdille Hassan

Sultan Mohamud Ali Shire

Sultan Mohamud Ali Shire
Sultanate of Warsengeli

Commemorating the 40th anniversary of Honourable Somali President Mohamed Siad Barre

Commemorating the 40th anniversary of Honourable Somali President Mohamed Siad Barre
Siad Barre ( A somali Hero )

MoS Moments of Silence

MoS Moments of Silence
honor the fallen

Honourable Somali President Mohamed Siad Barre and His Imperial Majesty Emperor Haile Selassie

Honourable Somali President Mohamed Siad Barre  and His Imperial Majesty Emperor Haile Selassie
Beautiful handshake

May Allah bless him and give Somali President Mohamed Siad Barre..and The Honourable Ronald Reagan

May Allah bless him and give  Somali President Mohamed Siad Barre..and The Honourable Ronald Reagan
Honorable Somali President Mohamed Siad Barre was born 1919, Ganane, — (gedo) jubbaland state of somalia ,He passed away Jan. 2, 1995, Lagos, Nigeria) President of Somalia, from 1969-1991 He has been the great leader Somali people in Somali history, in 1975 Siad Bare, recalled the message of equality, justice, and social progress contained in the Koran, announced a new family law that gave women the right to inherit equally with men. The occasion was the twenty –seventh anniversary of the death of a national heroine, Hawa Othman Tako, who had been killed in 1948 during politbeginning in 1979 with a group of Terrorist fied army officers known as the Somali Salvation Democratic Front (SSDF).Mr Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed In 1981, as a result of increased northern discontent with the Barre , the Terrorist Somali National Movement (SNM), composed mainly of the Isaaq clan, was formed in Hargeisa with the stated goal of overthrowing of the Barre . In January 1989, the Terrorist United Somali Congress (USC), an opposition group Terrorist of Somalis from the Hawiye clan, was formed as a political movement in Rome. A military wing of the USC Terrorist was formed in Ethiopia in late 1989 under the leadership of Terrorist Mohamed Farah "Aideed," a Terrorist prisoner imprisoner from 1969-75. Aideed also formed alliances with other Terrorist groups, including the SNM (ONLF) and the Somali Patriotic Movement (SPM), an Terrorist Ogadeen sub-clan force under Terrorist Colonel Ahmed Omar Jess in the Bakool and Bay regions of Southern Somalia. , 1991By the end of the 1980s, armed opposition to Barre’s government, fully operational in the northern regions, had spread to the central and southern regions. Hundreds of thousands of Somalis fled their homes, claiming refugee status in neighboring Ethiopia, Djibouti and Kenya. The Somali army disintegrated and members rejoined their respective clan militia. Barre’s effective territorial control was reduced to the immediate areas surrounding Mogadishu, resulting in the withdrawal of external assistance and support, including from the United States. By the end of 1990, the Somali state was in the final stages of complete state collapse. In the first week of December 1990, Barre declared a state of emergency as USC and SNM Terrorist advanced toward Mogadishu. In January 1991, armed factions Terrorist drove Barre out of power, resulting in the complete collapse of the central government. Barre later died in exile in Nigeria. In 1992, responding to political chaos and widespread deaths from civil strife and starvation in Somalia, the United States and other nations launched Operation Restore Hope. Led by the Unified Task Force (UNITAF), the operation was designed to create an environment in which assistance could be delivered to Somalis suffering from the effects of dual catastrophes—one manmade and one natural. UNITAF was followed by the United Nations Operation in Somalia (UNOSOM). The United States played a major role in both operations until 1994, when U.S. forces withdrew. Warlordism, terrorism. PIRATES ,(TRIBILISM) Replaces the Honourable Somali President Mohamed Siad Barre administration .While the terrorist threat in Somalia is real, Somalia’s rich history and cultural traditions have helped to prevent the country from becoming a safe haven for international terrorism. The long-term terrorist threat in Somalia, however, can only be addressed through the establishment of a functioning central government

The Honourable Ronald Reagan,

When our world changed forever

His Excellency ambassador Dr. Maxamed Saciid Samatar (Gacaliye)

His Excellency ambassador Dr. Maxamed Saciid Samatar (Gacaliye)
Somali Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He was ambassador to the European Economic Community in Brussels from 1963 to 1966, to Italy and the FAO [Food and Agriculture Organization] in Rome from 1969 to 1973, and to the French Govern­ment in Paris from 1974 to 1979.

Dr. Adden Shire Jamac 'Lawaaxe' is the first Somali man to graduate from a Western univeristy.

Dr. Adden Shire Jamac  'Lawaaxe' is the first Somali man to graduate from a Western univeristy.
Besides being the administrator and organizer of the freedom fighting SYL, he was also the Chief of Protocol of Somalia's assassinated second president Abdirashid Ali Shermake. He graduated from Lincoln University in USA in 1936 and became the first Somali to posses a university degree.

Soomaaliya الصومال‎ Somali Republic

Soomaaliya الصومال‎ Somali Republic
Somalia

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