The African Union, U.S. Africa Command, and Airlift: Building Operational Logistics Capacity for the African Standby Force

Abstract

Abstract : U.S. strategic interests in Africa include countering the spread of violent ideologies, preventing conflict, and fostering stability. U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) was established to address these interests by building partnerships with African allies and the African Union (AU). The AU formally established an African Standby Force (ASF) to respond rapidly to conflicts and humanitarian emergencies. Unfortunately, the ASF is not yet operational and various members of the international community have provided the majority of the capacity for recent peace operations such as the AU missions to Sudan, Burundi, and Somalia. Rather than simply continuing to be a provider of logistical capacity, the U.S. is transforming its relationship with the AU. This transformation is focused on developing Africa's capacity to provide its own security and stability, including increasing AFRICOM emphasis on partnerships with regional organizations such as the ASF. To foster progress toward mutual U.S. and African interests of preventing conflict by underwriting regional stability, AFRICOM should establish a joint initiative with the ASF regional brigades to assemble a regionally based airlift capability to bridge the crucial gap in operational logistics.