Africa Partners Group Conducts First Forum in Garmisch - US AFRICOM News

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Africa Partners Group Conducts First Forum in Garmisch

U.S. AFRICOM Engagement Division

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GARMISCH, Germany - Participants of the Africa Partners Group, representing approximately 14 countries, along with observers from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the European Union, gather for a group photo in May 2009. Hosted by U.S. Africa Command, the delegates met in Garmisch, Germany to coordinate operational-level issues among nations with similar goals and objectives in Africa. (U.S. Africa Command Photo)

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GARMISCH, Germany, May 26, 2009 — The first-ever Africa Partners Group (APG) met May 18-20, 2009 in Garmisch, Germany. The group was formed based on the recognition by a number of partner nations that there is a need for a forum to coordinate operational-level issues among nations with similar goals and objectives in Africa. While the APG was hosted by United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), organizers are quick to point out that this is a truly international endeavor, undertaken in a spirit of unity of effort toward security and stability in Africa.

Delegates from Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Germany, France, Finland, Italy, Norway, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the UK came together, along with observers from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the European Union to cover wide-ranging topics such as Training Centers, Standardization, Security Sector Reform, Maritime Issues and Exercises.

APG produced some thought-provoking discussion among the partner nations along with a number of proposals that the delegates will be taking back to their respective countries for refinement and follow-up. The Africa Partners Group will convene again next year, to be hosted in the United Kingdom.

On 5/31/2009 10:19:58 PM, edidiong in united states said:
Why should Europeans discuss African issues? You should get all your inputs from the Africans. Stop promoting European domination in Africa. The Europeans go to Africa to steal African food, resources,traffic in persons and dominate Africans Stop it.This is racism.

On 5/27/2009 10:15:29 PM, Anonymous in Unspecified said:
Why are delegates from Non-African countries and international entities like NATO and the EU holding forums concerning what needs to be implemented in Africa with no input by the African people?

On 5/28/2009 8:01:22 AM, AFRICOM Public Affairs responded

That's a fair question.

It's helpful to understand that the nations and organizations involved in the meeting have long-standing working relationships with the nations and organizations of Africa. The purpose of this meeting was for those who are partners with Africa to coordinate among themselves internally so that, frankly, we don't waste Africans' time and energy dealing with a poorly coordinated group of partners.

A quick look at our Website shows that there is a large amount of interaction with and input by the African people at many levels with regard to security matters.

Conversely, African nations and regional organizations, such as the African Union, ECOWAS and others, often meet to discuss among themselves how best to work on regional security matters with partners outside of Africa. We consider it fully appropriate for those meetings to take place without our attendance so that we, too, can work with partners who have had productive discussions among themselves.

Respectfully,

Vince Crawley
U.S. Africa Command Public Affairs

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