Marine Maj. Gen. Samuel T. Helland, Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa commander, spoke to Pentagon reporters from Camp Lemonier, Djibouti
Instead of being at the bottom of U.S. military and strategic priorities,
Africa is now poised to become a focus for international attention.
The Pentagon plans to train thousands of African troops in battalions
equipped for extended desert and border operations and to link the military
commands of the different countries with secure satellite communications.
The proposed funding is $500 million over seven years, covering Algeria,
Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal, Nigeria, Morocco and Tunisia. Libya
may be added if relations improve.
