The United States Africa Command, is one of the eleven unified combatant commands of the United States Department of Defense, headquartered at Kelley Barracks, Stuttgart, Germany (credit:africom.mil)

DIPLOMATIC TIMES  STAFF

United States Africa Command on Friday marked the 12th anniversary of the establishment of AFRICOM.  The creation of a Combatant Command focused on the African continent acknowledged the growing importance of the region to United States’ national security, AFRICOM said in a statement.  “Africa is home to the fastest growing economies and populations in the world, and sits at the crossroads of global commerce and trade. Its strategic importance for the United States continues to grow, as evidenced by Africa’s increasing leadership role on the global stage,” U.S. Army Gen. Stephen Townsend, U.S. Africa Command commander said. 

credit: africom /  U.S. Army Gen. Stephen Townsend, commander, U.S. Africa Command, presents the oldest and youngest Soldiers in the command to commemorate the U.S. Army’s 245th birthday during a joint ceremony at Kelley Barracks in Stuttgart, Germany June 11, 2020. 

“U.S. Africa Command’s headquarters was stood up with a focus on humanitarian aid and empowering whole-of-government outreach. Since its original inception, U.S. Africa Command’s role expanded to include protecting our homeland from violent extremist organizations with safe havens in Africa. Today, U.S. Africa Command’s theater is key terrain for global power competition.  U.S. Africa Command enables the United States’ enduring partnership with like-minded countries to address challenges from strategic competitors like China and Russia, who continue to expand their authoritarian influence worldwide, including in Africa.”

-U.S. Army Gen. Stephen Townsend, commander, U.S. Africa Command

Townsend added that “the strong alliances and partnerships that AFRICOM has forged over the last 12 years are what set us apart from our global competitors, and are more important than ever.

AFRICOM Plans Move From GERMANY Headquarters As US Pulls Troops Out

Credit:   Africom / U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM)  headquarters, in Stuttgart, Germany 

AFRICOM  has launched a search for a new headquarters for its Germany-based unit either somewhere else in Europe or the United States as American troops pull out.  The move comes amid President Trump’s directive to drastically withdraw U.S. troops and resources from Germany-a key European ally.  Defense Secretary Mark Esper announced in July that nearly 12,000 U.S. troops will pull out of Germany as soon as is feasible Trump has been pushing since 2018 for the U.S. to reduce its troop presence in Germany, saying Berlin wasn’t spending enough on defense. There are currently 1,200 military personnel assigned to AFRICOM headquarters. In response to the President’s direction, efforts are now underway to develop plans and options to relocate the Africa Command headquarters and forces from Germany, AFRICOM said in a statement.  AFRICOM said the command will look first at options elsewhere in y, but also will consider options in the United States.