World powers bring soft touch to African neighbors

  • Published
  • By Col. Thomas Deall
  • U.S. CENTAF Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNEWS) --  World powers!  

The words often bring to mind the image of a military might with continuous armed presence around the world. Although this is definitely a key capability, there is also a softness demanded of world power leaders and that is exactly what people of Africa have found in their western neighbors.

Working out of a relatively small base in Djibouti and throughout the Horn of Africa, American and coalition partner forces venture throughout African nations to lend a hand, heal the sick and comfort people who need so much but ask for so little.

On a small card distributed to military members assigned to HOA there are just a few lines and simple words. But the words speak volumes for why these men and women serve so far from home to help strangers. The card reads, "Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airmen of the Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa, you represent the hopes, dreams and aspirations of many Africans."

Also on that card is a reminder that although many of the people these service members encounter are friendly, warm, loving and appreciative, there is the ever-present danger of terrorism. The overriding hope:  providing justice, rule of law and basic human rights while at the same time staying focused on counter-terrorism and international security. It's a large mission but not too large for the grateful recipients.

"We've had many people come to us promising food, schools, clothing and everything else," said Abdi, a local resident who interprets for coalition forces. "But when Americans, British and other people from the base come into our community they bring hope. They come into our neighborhoods, help and build but best of all they return and that's what our people need."

At a Djiboutian girls' school, teachers helped students learn basic academics such as reading and math. But the school also is set up to teach the girls domestic skills including culinary arts, sewing (with much of the machinery and equipment provided by U.S. Agency for International Development) and basic sanitation for home and family.

"Many of these girls are from poor families who do not promote education for girls," said the school's principal. "The girls' ages range from 12 to 22 and they come to us with all levels of abilities. Some can't read at all and some are more advanced, so we're teaching them to read English, Somali, Arabic and French."

"Reaching out to schools is all about providing options for the people," said U.S. Army 1st Lt. Ben Sklaver. "Our goal is to show the people that Americans and our coalition partners are principled, reliable and trustworthy. This is absolutely critical since terror groups are also trying to influence their lives and their children. Let's put it this way, we go into their neighborhoods and we leave behind soccer balls, wells for safe water and hope."

The mission of Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa extends across Africa to countries such as Djibouti, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Kenya, Seychelles, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen. Predominantly Muslim, these nations have extended a welcome to western forces since 2002 and have grown to recognize there is an alternative to extremist philosophies and ways of life. In fact, it is the people who express their desire for more interaction, not less.

Illustrating this point is Navy Cmdr. George Rissky who leads English conversation with Djiboutian scholarship students. Despite potholed streets and crowded neighborhoods, Commander Rissky leads a group of five to seven people to his assigned school. He presents a topic for discussion and, with his group seated throughout the crowded, one-room school, does more listening than speaking. And as he listens he writes on the blackboard (yes, they still use blackboards with chalk) words that either have multiple meanings or were used incorrectly. As he writes, the students write.

Commander Rissky occasionally injects a word or two but mostly listens as these students, both men and women, emotionally address issues of government leadership, education and smoking. The students embrace him, listen to him and value his guidance. But the true value of his impact is when he's not available. If he does not show up on his night, people start calling on the phone asking for George.

Sometimes hunger demands a plate of food. Sometimes hunger demands a deeper search of the soul. But hunger also demands, at times, an intellectual challenge, and that's what Commander Rissky and all English school participants provide.

CJTF- HOA is more than just a military mission. It's an oasis of hope. It's about providing a stable, secure environment where people have freedom of choice. It's about providing a place where education and prosperity are within each person's grasp and where terrorists, whose extremist ideology seeks to enslave nations, do not infringe upon the right to self-determination.

This oasis is possible because of a soft touch by world powers. It is possible because of people like Lieutenant Sklaver and Commander Rissky. It is possible because of people who want a better life for their children and their nation. It is possible because hope does exist in Africa. 

Perhaps it's time to consider a name change from HOA to HOH, which could stand for Horn of Hope. 

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