Office of the Legal Counsel

Mission

The Office of the Legal Counsel, located on Kelley Barracks in Stuttgart-Möhringen, is composed of a diverse, interagency team that reflects the talents, expertise, and capabilities found within the Department of Defense and Department of Homeland Security. The office serves as the principal legal advisor to the commander and his staff and provides legal advice on a myriad of issues to include: international law, the law of armed conflict, status protections, international agreements, ethics/standards of conduct, fiscal law, contract law, military justice, and civilian personnel matters

The office also engages with African partners to promote military adherence to the rule of law, systems of accountability, adherence to the Law of Armed Conflict, observance, respect, and protection of human rights, and the importance of military subordination to civilian authority.


Vision

To provide U.S. Africa Command with timely, accurate, and prudent legal advice that enables the command and its staff to execute operations that support overall mission accomplishment. 

The Office of the Legal Counsel provides the command with sound and reasoned legal advice/guidance through four distinct branches:

International Law: international agreements/treaties, support to international exercise planning, foreign criminal jurisdiction, personnel exchange/foreign liaison agreements, and country law studies
Operational Law: counterterrorism, rules of engagement and rules for the use of force, intelligence law, information operations, anti-terrorism and force protection, and maritime operations
Administrative & Civil Law: military justice, personnel law, fiscal law, ethics and standards of conduct, legislative affairs, FOIA & Privacy Act, humanitarian and civic assistance programs, and military transportation and travel
Legal Engagements: promotes rule of law considerations in theater security cooperation activities and security force assistance, facilitates African military legal partnerships in supporting human rights and adherence to the Law of Armed Conflict, and facilitates rule of law objectives for partner nations participating in the joint exercise program.


African Military Law Forum

The African Military Law Forum is an organization composed of dedicated African legal professionals serving in the military or working in the Ministry of Defense or Ministry of Justice.

AMLF Streams Speaker's Series, Issue 1.

AMLF Streams is a new speaker's series where AMLF members discuss legal topics of interest.  Our thanks to the Kentucky National Guard State Partnership, for hosting the first AMLF Streams Speaker's Series, Issue 1 with the Malawi Defense Forces Chief of Legal Services, BG Dan Kuwali.  BG Kuwali served as AMLF's first Co-Chair.

KY NG PAO release

AMLF Streams Episode 1

AMLF Streams Episode 2

AMLF Streams Episode 3

AMLF Streams Episode 4

  1. African Military Law Forum Sends, Issue 1
  2. African Military Law Forum Sends, Issue 2
  3. African Military Law Forum Sends, Issue 3
  4. African Military Law Forum Sends, Issue 4

Legal Engagement Activities, Articles

Women, Peace, and Security and the Military Lawyer

Flintlock 2023 Legal Framework Working Group Info Sheet

Phoenix Express 2022 - Legal Finish Program Summary

Partners host inaugural Women’s African Military Professional Legal Network Event in Botswana

Sixth African Military Law Forum in Botswana centers on WPS, providing counsel to commanders

U.S. law enforcement share best practices in Phoenix Express to deter maritime crime

Michigan and Liberia partner to reinforce the role of military legal advisors in promoting the rule of law

Series aims to build partner military capacity through expert legal advice

AFRICOM Holds Virtual Command Advice, Investigation, and Coordination Conference

Legal Colloquium strengthens relationships between African commanders and legal advisors

(VIDEO) Accountability Colloquium, Malawi 2019

The Africa Military Law Forum

Adherence to the Rule of Law in African Militaries

Shared Accord 19 Emphasis, Rule of Law

AFRICOM hosts Accountability Colloquium

(VIDEO) Accountability Colloquium VI

4th Annual ACE Legal Conference held; focused on Law of Armed Conflict & new defense strategy

AFRICOM and DOJ hosts first DOJ - Africa Symposium

African military legal experts participate in "law of armed conflict" conference

AFRICOM hosts annual Africa Military Law Forum

Responding To Gender Based Violence During Peacekeeping Operations Subject of AFRICOM Legal Engagement

Gender Based Violence During Peace Operations is the Focus of Three-day Legal Engagement

Africa Center for Strategic Studies Holds Maritime Safety and Security Seminar in Cape Verde

US, Tanzania Military Attorneys Find More Similarities Than Differences in Military Law

Botswana Defence Force, N.C. Guard Legal Experts Conduct Joint Mock Courts-Martial during Workshop

Piracy is of Common Concern to Africans, Global Community

African Legal Experts from 20 Nations Collaborate on Maritime Law Initiatives

Successful Completion of First Africa Military Legal Conference

AFRICOM Hosts First Africa Military Legal Conference, Nearly 15 African Nations Participating

U.S. Military Legal Experts Train DR Congo Military in Preventing, Prosecuting Sex Crimes


Contact

U.S. Africa Command
ATTN: Office of the Legal Counsel
UNIT 29951
APO AE 09751-9951

DSN: 324.591.0522
Commercial: +49 (0)711.7081.0522