United States Africa Command - AFRICOM Mission Statement

AFRICOM Mission Statement

The United States Africa Command, in concert with other U.S. government agencies and international partners, conducts sustained security engagement through military-to-military programs, military-sponsored activities, and other military operations as directed to promote a stable and secure African environment in support of U.S. foreign policy.

U.S. Africa Command supports American national security interests by conducting a wide range of programs and activities that help African states—at their request—meet their goals of building capable and professional militaries that are subordinate to civilian authority, respect human rights, and adhere to the rule of law.

The White House said:

will strengthen our security cooperation with Africa and create new opportunities to bolster the capabilities of our partners in Africa. Africa Command will enhance our efforts to bring peace and security to the people of Africa and promote our common goals of development, health, education, democracy, and economic growth in Africa.

The U.S. Department of State stated of AFRICOM that:

The U.S. military’s new command center for Africa, Africa Command (AFRICOM), will play a supportive role as Africans continue to build democratic institutions and establish good governance across the continent. AFRICOM’S foremost mission is to help Africans achieve their own security, and to support African leadership efforts.

The U.S. Strategy toward Sub-Saharan Africa aims in Africa are to:

"strengthen democratic institutions and

boost broad-based economic growth, including through trade and investment."

—as cited by General Carter F. Ham, U.S. Commander, AFRICOM, 19 December 2012, in an address at Brown University