The many daunting challenges facing the African continent and U.S. foreign policy were the topics of a congressional hearing held today by Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-04), chairman of the House congressional panel that oversees U.S. policy in Africa and international human rights.

    Smith chaired a hearing of the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, and Human Rights called “Coordinating Africa Policy on Security, Counterterrorism, Humanitarian Operations and Development.”  He noted that despite the wave of African independence in the 1950s through the 1970s, many American policymakers did not believe Africa held strategic importance to the United States. Today, with the increase in both global terrorism and global trade, Africa’s role has evolved. Aircraft, automobile and computer parts rely on minerals found in Africa, and in some cases, almost nowhere else in the world. Additionally, U.S. oil imports from Africa comprise nearly a quarter of all American oil imports.

    “African nations have abundant minerals on which our modern society relies,” Smith said. “In recent years, the mineral coltan, largely coming from Africa, has enabled the development of computers, cell phones and other electronic devices.

    “Since the 1998 bombing of the American embassies in Kenya and Tanzania, it has become clear that terrorism can strike the United States even in Africa. In fact, the presence of Africans on the list of planners of the 1993 and 2001 World Trade Center attacks demonstrates that terrorism in Africa is not confined to Africa itself and can reach out to strike us even in our homeland,” Smith said. “The creation of the African Command, or AFRICOM, demonstrates the current awareness of the strategic importance of Africa not only for the United States but for the world in general.”  Click here to read Smith’s opening remarks.

    Testifying before Congress were: Donald Y. Yamamoto, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, who heads the Bureau of African Affairs; Vicki Huddleston, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense, Office of the Secretary of Defense, and; Sharon Cromer, Senior Deputy Assistant Administrator at the Bureau for Africa at the U.S. Agency for International Development.

    “We are currently witnessing some of the greatest changes on the African continent since the era of independence. These changes present both challenges and opportunities, and since its inception in October 2008, AFRICOM has been a critical partner for the Department of State in addressing conflict and transnational issues across Africa,” Yamamoto said. “Given the important role militaries play in the region, AFRICOM’s work is critical to the success of our Administration's broader efforts to build a more peaceful, prosperous, and democratic Africa.” To read Yamamoto’s testimony, click here.

    Huddleston noted USAFRICOM’s objective is to build or strengthen a partner nation’s ability to counter extremism, provide for the security of their citizens and contribute to peace keeping. AFRICOM is a Department of Defense (DoD) command for U.S. military support to U.S. government policy in Africa, which includes military-to-military relationships with 54 African nations.

    “AFRICOM enhances the capacity of our key African partners to provide a secure environment for democratic governance and development,” Huddleston said.  Click here to read Huddleston’s testimony. “USAFRICOM’s security strategy ensures that our national interests are protected from potential threats on the African continent, while contributing to stability and security for the people of Africa.” 

    Cromer said USAID leads the development role in promoting democracy and good governance, fostering economic growth on the continent, and delivering humanitarian assistance to African countries.

    “Africa faces some of the most serious security challenges in the world.  In a 2010 assessment of 162 countries, the University of Maryland found that no region in the world has greater potential for conflict than Africa,” Cromer said. “Today’s world is more interconnected and complex than ever. Instability, poverty, and disease quickly travel across oceans and borders. Problems abroad all too quickly become problems at home, while a peaceful, healthy, and prosperous Africa benefits us all.”  Click here to read Cromer’s testimony.