This webinar on August 13 will shed light on the impact of AFRICOM, militarization, and war across the African continent, fueled by imperialism and extractivism.

Why are we concerned about the militarization of Africa by AFRICOM?

The U.S. military established AFRICOM on October 1, 2008. They claim that combat operations in Africa are to counter violent extremist organizations which they say are finding safe haven throughout African countries. However, the truth is that the U.S. uses military force to impose control of African land, resources and labor to service the needs of U.S. multi-national corporations and the wealthy in the United States.

When AFRICOM was established in the months before Barack Obama assumed office as the first Black President of the United States, a majority of African nations—led by the Pan-Africanist government of Libya—rejected AFRICOM, forcing the new command to instead work out of Europe. But with the U.S. and NATO attack on Libya that led to the destruction of that country and the murder of its leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, corrupt African leaders began to allow AFRICOM forces to operate in their countries and establish military-to-military relations with the United States. Despite the Pentagon’s claims that AFRICOM has a “light footprint,” recent documents reveal that the U.S. has 49 military bases in 21 countries across the continent.

AFRICOM has recently been at the center of controversy. Its Chief Commander, General Michael Langley, falsely accused Captain Ibrahim Traore, President of Burkina Faso, who has undertaken reforms to ensure his country’s economic sovereignty, of using his country’s gold reserves for his personal security. The AFRICOM Commander’s false accusations were met with an uproar emanating from multiple circles of peace activists.