US seeks stronger partnership with African air forces

US seeks stronger partnership with African air forces

The US Ambassador to Ethiopia, Mr Donald Booth, has said that building of a strong and mutually beneficial partnership with African countries remained the priority of the US.

Speaking at the US-African Air Chiefs Conference in Addis Ababa, Booth said that recent events on the African continent were a clear indication of human and financial instability.

He said that the events also showed the importance of open and responsive political system and economic policies that could stimulate growth and development.

Providing stability

Booth said that it was important to keep peace in an ever-changing world, especially in the current age of social media.

“The military can play an important role in supporting positive change and providing stability,'' he said.
 
He noted that throughout many parts of the world, the military played an important role in supporting civilian rule, promoting human rights and providing stability in the face of uncertainty.

The ambassador said Tunisia and Egypt illustrated how important a professional and apolitical military could be during periods of extraordinary political transition.

Consolidating gains

The Commander of the US Air Force Africa, the conference organisers, Maj.-General Margaret Woodward, said that enduring regional partnerships and the resulting respect, integrity and trust were critical to consolidating the gains which Africa had so far recorded.

She noted that Africa has recorded gains in the areas of development, stability and democratic governance and stressed that the US Air Force Africa emphasises the importance of being a reliable partner, one with goals and programmes that will be sustained over a long term.

Woodward said Africa's air chiefs faced significant challenges as they strove to build a reliable airlift capability for the African Standby Force and to secure viable command and control of Africa's airspace to guard against expansion of transitional criminal activities in Africa's air frontiers.

The conference

The Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force, Gen. Norton Schwartz, said that the conference provided an opportunity for a community of airmen to present additional strategic and operational options for national and coalition leaders.

Schwartz said that the conference was organised to provide a platform for a shared desire for stability, security, political viability and opportunity for economic development in Africa.

Illicit activities base

The Deputy Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Mr Hailemariam Desalegn, who declared the conference open, said that Africa in general and the eastern part of the continent had become a base for illicit activities such as hostage taking and piracy.

He listed other crimes taking place in the region to include shipment of weapons to Somalia, which has been under UN arms embargo.

Countering terrorism

Desalegn, who is also the Foreign Minister, said there was a need for Africa and the US to work together in the areas of counter-terrorism and airborne-related illicit activities which had increasingly become evident. 

“I also strongly believe that the US Department of Air Force is committed to responding to such needs, and also believe that the deliberations will come up with much needed recommendations that would help to make the needs operational.'' 

Twenty-four African air chiefs attended the conference at which Nigeria was represented by Air Officer, Policy and Plans, Nigerian Air Force Headquarters, Abuja, Air Vice-Marshal M. Bade

NAN/Williams