AFRICOM and the Development of Sierra Leone
The development of economic prosperity and individual security will play an important role in Sierra Leone’s growth as a stable country. Through collaboration between the Sierra Leone government and U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), Sierra Leone has gained valuable experience and training, while enhancing economic development and security.
U.S. Africa joint command was announced in February 2007 with the goal of building long term security partnerships between the United States, African nations, regional organizations and the African Union. The integrated staff structure of AFRICOM includes significant representation from the U.S. Department of State, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and other U.S. government agencies as well as partner nations and humanitarian organizations. Having staff from varied agencies and organizations working side by side insures that a common approach is being taken with regards to security, development, diplomacy, and prosperity in Africa.
The AFRICOM mission is carried out through military-to-military programs, military-sponsored activities and other military operations. For example, the Africa Partnership Station provides training in maritime law enforcement, search and rescue capabilities, civil engineering and logistics, and navigation. Crew members also participate in humanitarian assistance efforts lead by interagency and non governmental organizations focusing on heath care, education, and other projects. Another AFRICOM initiative is the African Maritime Law Enforcement Partnership (AMLEP) program, which Sierra Leone has participated in with great success.
Through the AMLEP program, African nations are assisted in building up their own maritime security capacity and in improving management of their maritime environment through real world combined law enforcement operations. The first AMLEP operation in Sierra Leone took place in 2009 and included the Sierra Leone Maritime Wing and fisheries Ministry. This operation resulted in the seizure of an illegal fishing vessel. AMLEP’s next operation was also in Sierra Leone and was even more successful. Combined U.S. Coast Guard and Sierra Leone boarding teams seized four boats for violating Sierra Leonean fishing laws. The Sierra Leone team then used its own vessels to escort the seized vessels to port. This action sent a strong message to illegal operators in Sierra Leone’s national waters. It also resulted in significant fines being paid to the government of Sierra Leone in accordance with international legal proceedings. These funds are used to protect fisheries resources and to provide sustainability for the maritime forces so that they do not become a burden on the national budget.
Each year, Africa loses more than 1 billion US dollars because of illegal fishing. Sierra Leone is among the West African nations most affected by this illegal exploitation of resources. The World Bank has estimated that Sierra Leone loses an estimated 30 to 40 million dollars each year in royalty payments alone. AMLEP operations are also useful in apprehending illegal traffickers of narcotics, people and weapons, as well as perpetrators of environmental crimes, which all negatively impact the nation’s economy and stability.
The philosophy of AFRICOM is to seek African solutions to African challenges through a collaborative effort to respond to the requests of African partners. AFRICOM organizes multinational exercises that allow participants to practice working together to solve regional security issues. AFRICOM has also listened to the needs of regional economic and political groups such as the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union. By building strong and lasting strategic partnerships with Africa and by delivering sustained effective and coherent security cooperation programs, U.S. Africa Command helps foster a more stable and secure Africa:
- Where military organizations perform professionally and with integrity
- That promotes legitimate and professional security institutions
- That has the will and means to dissuade, deter, and defeat transnational threats
- And whose militaries and governments are increasingly capable of supporting continental and international peace efforts
The cooperation between U.S African command and the African continent presents a unique opportunity for the growth and development of Sierra Leone and the whole of Africa. By resolving issues of economic prosperity, security, and environmental degradation through a positive working relationship with the United States, AFRICOM makes way for a stronger Africa and a stronger Sierra Leone.
US Embassy, Sierra Leone
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