“What’s the US military doing in Africa?”: What U.S. Africa Command doesn’t want you to know
“Keep your eye on Africa," journalist warns
By NICK TURSE
PUBLISHED OCTOBER 25, 2022 4:00AM (EDT)
What's the U.S. military doing in Africa? It's an enigma, wrapped in a riddle, straight-jacketed in secrecy, and hogtied by red tape. Or at least it would be if it were up to the Pentagon.
Ten years ago, I embarked on a quest to answer that question at TomDispatch, chronicling a growing American military presence on that continent, a build-up of both logistical capabilities and outposts, and the possibility that far more was occurring out of sight. "Keep your eye on Africa," I concluded. "The U.S. military is going to make news there for years to come."
I knew I had a story when U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) failed to answer basic questions honestly. And the command's reaction to the article told me that I also had a new beat.
Not long after publication, AFRICOM wrote a letter of complaint to my editor, Tom Engelhardt, attempting to discredit my investigation. (I responded point by point in a follow-up piece.) The command claimed the U.S. was doing little on that continent, had one measly base there, and was transparent about its operations. "I would encourage you and those who have interest in what we do to review our Website,
www.AFRICOM.mil, and a new Defense Department Special Web Report on U.S. Africa Command at this link
http://www.defense.gov/home/features/2012/0712_AFRICOM/," wrote its director of public affairs Colonel Tom Davis.
https://www.salon.com/2022/10/25/whats-the-us-military-doing-in-africa-what-us-africa-command-doesnt-want-you-to-know_partner/
