This is a discussion on US Forces in Africa within the Army & Security Forces forum, part of the Global Defense & Military category; A few questions:
Does anybody know when US forces will be sent to Africa to fight the Lord's Resistance Army?
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By Brian Bennett and Robyn Dixon, Los Angeles Times
Sat Oct 15 2011 12:00 AM
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The deployment has been planned for months and grew out of legislation signed this year supporting increased U.S. efforts to help protect civilians from the Lord's Resistance Army, officials said.
After three years of incremental assistance to the Ugandan government, including the presence of some unarmed counter-terrorism advisors, the White House made the decision to ramp up its efforts in an attempt to take out Kony and end his reign of terror in the area, said a U.S. intelligence official who spoke on condition of anonymity.
"If we are going to do this, let's not do it half-assed. Let's go in and try to wipe this guy out," the official said.
The Green Berets will work with regional armies to help protect people in isolated hamlets who have been preyed upon by the militia. The plan is, among other things, to help track the movements of the guerrillas and share intelligence from communications intercepts and satellite imagery.
Also, U.S. forces will help deliver communications gear to villagers, including cellphone towers and high-frequency radios that will enable them to notify the authorities when the Lord's Resistance Army swoops in.
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Why are the Americans interested in removing the LRA?
I cant imagine the LRA impose any threats to US interests in any shape or form.
Do the American have invested interests in Uganda (is there oil somewhere?)
There is an interesting article on bllomberg which I'll try to source and post after work finishes.
the reason why the US SOCOM has had people in Botswana (along with the UK and the French at various times) is to make sure that they can nip these things in the bud early. there are various socio, religious and strategic reasons why the LRA needs clipping.
________________ A corollary of Finagle's Law, similar to Occam's Razor, says:
"Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity"
Interesting to listen to and Joseph Koney does seem to be a nasty piece of work.
Will be interested to see how this story progresses over the next few months.
Considering the size of the area the LRA work in, it could take a while to catch this guy.
Why are the Americans taking action now considering he has been active for over 25 years?
There is something behind this action. But what is it? The US will capture or kill the LRA. This is just the start of US involvement in Africa. They just created the African Command. Once the US get its overall objective in Africa that when you see more US trainers in Africa. Once I heard that UAV are being sent to Uganda it over for LRA. Right now thing are being done secretly to get what it need to kill or capture LRA. Other militaries in the area will recieve more aid and training mainly Kenya.
US has had SF long term located in one critical african ally for nearly 30 years.
everyone else might not know, but US, French and UK SF have been there for decades
In one instance they share the same base courtesy of that Govt
"Big Army" might be there under a declared Command. But US presence and sustained SF active presence is not news
Yes I know that I should have explain more. Thanks for clearing that up. I mainly was talking about command structure. Yes SF has been in Africa for years training Africans forces and other activities. Thats true that not real news but to have a Africa Command in Africa ups the game. If you don't understand I can get into more details.
Yes I know that I should have explain more. Thanks for clearing that up. I mainly was talking about command structure. Yes SF has been in Africa for years training Africans forces and other activities. Thats true that not real news but to have a Africa Command in Africa ups the game. If you don't understand I can get into more details.
Africom was activated officially in 2007. It's not that 'new'...
The Africom is still based in Europe. @ADMk2 Thanks I already knew that thanks anyway
Some African countries did not want a Africom base or HQ. Africom has stated it will remain in Europe.
The Africom is still based in Europe. @ADMk2 Thanks I already knew that thanks anyway
Some African countries did not want a Africom base or HQ. Africom has stated it will remain in Europe.
It doesn't matter whether some countries don't want AFRICOM or not - its the host country that counts
and as I said US/UK have had specfor ine one country for over 30 years at the behest of that country.
A "big army" presence is due to the fact that a lot of those countries have demonstrated a complete unwillingness to deal with regional issues.
they can't pretend that the African Union models work when they clearly don't. when the largest military power in Africa has politicians who espouse forced regime change in neighbouring democracies, then its no wonder that those countries openly invite US/UK forces and send their military officers off for training with US or Commonwealth "western" partners.
and to return to the original premise thats its the start of a US presence in Africa - that is just factually and actually incorrect.
The US has given central and northern african countries import privileges and expemptions for 20+ years, so they've had their eye on the regional ball ever since Sth Africa shifted.
In fact the most stable governed country in Africa has had western military forces (incl US) in place since 1966
________________ A corollary of Finagle's Law, similar to Occam's Razor, says:
"Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity"
yap, as is Egypt.
Seriously though, Museveni and US going to bed is all about mineral rich central africa, a FOB of sorts since geopolitical realities and times are making these mad men slowly return to normalcy, and with mega projects and opportunities such as the Inga in Congo, uncle Sam does not want to be beaten to the race by million man army.
