25 Groups Call on the Senate: End the Militarization of U.S.-Africa Policy

June 27, 2012

Dear Senator:

We write to urge you to resist the growing militarization of U.S. aid and policy toward Africa. Recent appropriations and policies reflect an increasing focus on both regional and bilateral military operations and assistance. In anticipation of the FY 2013 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) reaching the Senate floor, we ask that you oppose this detrimental approach that threatens to undermine African efforts toward stability and long-term peace.

In the House Armed Services Committee’s recent report on the NDAA, the following language called directly for more “aggressive” and “surgical” operations on the African continent:

“Specifically, the committee believes that activities that utilize U.S. Special Operations Forces and an ‘indirect approach’ that leverages local and indigenous forces should be used more aggressively and surgically in Africa...”

Section 1203 of the Senate Armed Services Committee’s NDAA echoes this approach, appropriating funding to train and equip security forces for counterterrorism purposes in Ethiopia, Kenya, Djibouti and countries participating in the African Union Mission in Somalia. While a recent article in the New York Times cited a failed attempt by the military’s Special Operations Command to gain additional authority in places “like Kenya,” it also noted that other programs – such as the Global Security Contingency Fund – already exist to support these operations. Most disturbingly, last week’s Washington Post article on the subject revealed widening covert intelligence and targeted assassination operations in Africa, as well as deeply concerning reports of airstrikes, raids and drone use in Somalia specifically.

Though such initiatives are presented as being in the interest of U.S. national security, “aggressive” operations in Africa and elsewhere instead have a history of resulting in exacerbated instability, increased threat to civilian safety and further radicalization. Training and equipment programs have also been criticized in the past for lack of clear accountability and minimal evaluation of impact on related conflicts and communities. In light of these and other concerns, we urge you to reverse the trend of increasing focus on U.S. counterterrorism and military operations and assistance – an approach that could both pose an immediate danger and undermine long-term peace. Specifically, we ask that you:

• Reject language in support of and funding requests intended for military operations in Africa – including section 1203 – and instead encourage increased support for Africans’ work to address root causes of violence and promote peaceful, just solutions. Foreign policy experts worldwide have raised concerns around the impact of U.S. special military and counterterrorism operations and targeted assassinations in places including Pakistan, Yemen and East Africa, citing significant civilian casualties and further destabilization. This growing emphasis overshadows and undermines support for the U.S. and African civilian entities working to address sources of instability and prevent violence in the long-term. While this year’s State and Foreign Operations budget request includes only a few references to reconciliation and civilian peacebuilding in East Africa, for example, it frequently mentions the region with regard to various counterterrorism and military accounts.
• As a first step, ensure vigilant monitoring and oversight of current military and counterterrorism assistance to African countries. Push for greater transparency and halt aid immediately in the event of human rights abuses or exacerbated insecurity. A comprehensive accounting of current U.S. military and counterterrorism assistance to African countries is impossible to find, while language encouraging additional funding for special operations only increases. According to a report by the Congressional Research Service, members of Congress have noted that, “the U.S. government may not be adequately assessing long-term risks associated with providing training and military equipment for counterterrorism purposes to countries with poor records of human rights, rule of law, and accountability.” Immediate risks include potential for human rights abuses and diversion of equipment into illicit markets – a major concern given that arms trafficking already poses a threat to many African countries.

Ultimately, we believe military operations and aid are the wrong tools to strengthen partnerships and support peace and development on the continent. While we advocate for an end to these military operations and related assistance, we urge you to take the steps above to immediately address this worrying trend. Rather than undermining African civilian efforts and its own related programs, U.S. policy should instead support the peace and stability that will best improve security in the long-term.

Sincerely,

Africa Action
Africa Faith & Justice Network
AfricaFocus Bulletin
American Friends Service Committee
Association of Concerned Africa Scholars
Auschwitz Institute for Peace and Reconciliation
Campaign for Innocent Victims in Conflict (CIVIC)
Conference of Major Superiors of Men
Eritrean Community for Human Rights & Refugee Protection
Foreign Policy In Focus
Friends of the Congo
Friends Committee on National Legislation
Global Ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and United Church of Christ
Just Foreign Policy
Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns
Medical Mission Sisters' Alliance for Justice
Mennonite Central Committee U.S. Washington Office
Pax Christi USA
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Office of Public Witness
Sisters of Mercy of the Americas -- Institute Justice Team
STAND
TransAfrica
United African Organization
United Church of Christ, Justice and Witness Ministries
United Methodist Church, General Board of Church and Society