CALL TO ACTION: STOP AFRICOM

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This article from: TransAfrica forum

Tell the Senate Armed Services Committee to Reject Military Command on the Continent of Africa

TransAfrica Denounces Confirmation Hearings for General William Ward

On the morning of Thursday, September 27 the U.S. Senate Committee on Armed Services will convene confirmation hearings that will include the nomination of Army General William E. Ward as chief officer of the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM).

TransAfrica Forum, the nation’s premier African-American foreign policy organization, states its opposition to the formation of AFRICOM, and thus the confirmation of General Ward. AFRICOM is the Bush Administration’s latest effort to militarize foreign policy and aid. AFRICOM is the proposed permanent command structure that will be located on the African continent to launch global military campaigns and “oversee” the distribution of aid.

Promoting human rights, fair trade, and self-determination of African peoples must be the cornerstone of U.S. policy towards Africa, not the building of yet another military authority. AFRICOM will prove detrimental to African sovereignty and the development African solutions for African problems. AFRICOM is an example of military expansion in the name of the War on Terrorism, when it is in fact designed to secure Africa’s resources and ensure American interests on the continent. AFRICOM represents a policy of U.S. military-driven expansionism that will only enhance political instability, conflict, and the deterioration of state security. continued...African leaders are opposed to a U.S. permanent command on African soil. This month the Southern African Development Community (SADC) defense ministers determined that no member states would host AFRICOM. Other countries including Ghana and Nigeria have made statements against AFRICOM. Many countries have stated their preference to develop their own institutions for security, political, and economic independence.

TransAfrica Forum calls on the members of the U.S. Senate Committee on Armed Services to not only reject General Ward as commander of AFRICOM but reject the notion of AFRICOM altogether. We urge you to call the members of the Senate Armed Services Committee and tell them to reject the nomination of General Ward and to oppose AFRICOM.

Senator Carl Levin (D-MI) Chair, Armed Services Committee (202)224-6221

Senator John McCain (R-AZ) Ranking Member, Armed Services Committee (202)224-2235

Senator Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA) (202)224-4543

Senator Robert C. Byrd (D-WV) (202)224-3954

Senator Joseph Lieberman (I-CT) (202)224-4041

Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) (202)224-4642

Senator Daniel Akaka (D-HI) (202)224-6361

Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL) (202)224-5274

Senator Ben Nelson (D-NE) (202)224-6551

Senator Evan Bayh (D-IN) (202)224-5623

Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) (202)224-4451

Senator Mark Pryor (D-AR) (202)224-2353

Senator Jim Webb (D-VA) (202)224-4024

Senator Claire McCaskill (D-MO) (202)224-6154

Senator John Warner (R-VA) (202)224-2023

Senator James Inhofe (R-OK) (202)224-4721

Senator Jeff Sessions (R-AL) (202)224-4124

Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) (202)224-2523

Senator Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) (202)224-3521

Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) (202)224-5972

Senator Elizabeth Dole (R-NC) (202)224-6342

Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) (202)224-2934

Senator John Thune (R-SD) (202)224-2321

Senator Mel Martinez (R-FL) (202)224-3041

Senator Bob Corker (R-TN) (202)224-3344



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