22 July 2013 (22:25 UTC-07 Tango 21 July 2013)/14 Ramadan 1434/31 Tir 1391/15 Ji-Wie (6th month) 4711
The U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) will begin war games with South Africa later this week. At least 5000 personnel will be involved.
South African Navy (SAN) Captain, Jaco Theunissen, explained the purpose: “We are exercising to do a human support intervention….where you will fight against rebel groups.”
Captain Theunissen also stated that military medical units are training to provide healthcare on a large scale to civilian populations in war environments. In other words, the United States and its empirical allies are definitely using the military as “international aid agencies”, as stated concerning the current massive war games with Australia.
Medical “human support intervention” is already underway in Liberia, called Operation Onward Liberty (OOL). According to AFRICOM, OOL has been ongoing since 2010. U.S. Air Force Major, Joshua Latham, revealed the goal is to take OOL outside of Liberia: “…then you can begin operations to serve other people, whether it be other nations or individuals….”
A former commander of AFRICOM supports the creation of the precedent setting UN combat brigade known as Intervention Brigade: “….the Intervention Brigade is, as I believe it is postured to be, is an element of MONUSCO, I think that’s the right structure….I do think that the force is necessary.”-General Carter Ham, U.S. Army
General Ham stated that it was the African Union that asked for the U.S. to get involved: “We were asked by Africans to support an African-led activity….”
Ham also said “….we don’t go anywhere or do anything which we have not been invited by the host-nation government.” Yet, an African reporter with the Mail and Guardian countered by stating “…most other countries are hostile politically to AFRICOM…”
AFRICOM now has a special operations force called Commander’s In-Extremis Force. It’s being used a a type of rapid reaction force. Another African reporter questioned the possible redundancy of AFRICOM: “….doesn’t it seem that AFRICOM is duplicating everything, similar exercises of other [U.S.] agencies that are on the continent, because there are loads of these agencies. So isn’t AFRICOM duplicating with planned session of exercises….?”
Ham responded by saying that budget constraints make it difficult to operate redundant missions. This led to another reporter asking “….with all the budget cuts happening in the States, is AFRICOM likely to survive?”
Ham ensured them that AFRICOM was not going to killed by the bad economy in the States, but will make adjustments as necessary. According to AFRICOM, U.S. taxpayers fund the operation to the tune of about $275 million USD per year (which is actually cheap compared to other U.S. military operations). But how can the U.S. government fund any military operations when it’s bank is busted? (Afghan opium anyone?)
The General admitted the U.S. is competing, maybe even cooperating with China for resources in Africa: “…we are competing for economic position. I think we’re competing for influence…….we’ve kind of chosen different paths to achieve our goals. But….I wouldn’t characterize it….as any type of adversarial relationship.”
The now retired General Ham said to keep your eyes on South Africa, Botswana, Angola and Zimbabwe.