General Ham testifies at AFRICOM confirmation hearing

  • Published
  • By Karen Parrish
  • American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON (AFNS) --  President Barack Obama's nominee to be the next commander of U.S. Africa Command outlined his objectives Nov. 18 during a confirmation hearing with the Senate Armed Services Committee.

Africa is important to U.S. national security interests, Army Gen. Carter F. Ham told committee members.

"These interests," General Ham said, "include concerns over violent extremist activities, piracy, illicit trafficking, Africa's many humanitarian crises, armed conflict and more general challenges such as the effect of HIV/AIDS."

AFRICOM has a role in addressing each of these issues, General Ham said, as the military component of a U.S. whole-of-government approach.

However, "the key remains that Africa's future is up to Africans," the general said.

AFRICOM was established in October 2007 and operated under U.S. European Command during its first year. AFRICOM transitioned to independent unified command status in 2008.

According to AFRICOM officials, the command, which is headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany, focuses on synchronizing hundreds of activities inherited from three regional commands that previously coordinated U.S. military relations in Africa.

"If confirmed, I look forward to building upon the command's efforts, to continue expanding the unique interagency composition of the headquarters, and to enhancing partnerships with African nations," General Ham said.

General Ham said that if he is confirmed, he will have a lot to learn about Africa and AFRICOM, but that he will work closely with the committee "to ensure (AFRICOM) is correctly focused on accomplishing its role in support of U.S. policy objectives in Africa."

General Ham also told the committee that as AFRICOM commander he'd endeavor "to uphold the trust and confidence you place in me, to accomplish the many and varied important missions of the command, and to the very best of my ability provide for the well-being of the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, Coast Guardsmen, civilians and families entrusted to my care."