Program Overview

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U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) Operation Enduring Freedom Trans Sahara (OEF-TS) provides military support to the Trans Sahara Counter Terrorism Partnership (TSCTP) program. OEF-TS engagement in TSCTP focuses on overall security and cooperation rather than solely on Counter Terrorism. OEF-TS partnership comprises the United States and ten African countries: Algeria, Burkina Faso, Morocco, Tunisia, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, and Senegal.

TSCTP is the State-led interagency initiative to assist traditionally moderate Muslim governments and populations in the Trans-Sahara region to combat the spread of extremist ideology and terrorism in the region. The initiative is an integrated, multi-year approach that draws resources and expertise from multiple agencies in the U.S. Government, including the Department of State, USAID, and the Department of Defense.

OEF-TS is the USG’s 3rd priority counter terror effort conducting activities that support TSCTP but are not exclusive to TSCTP. OEF-TS supports TSCTP by forming relationships of peace, security, and cooperation among all Trans Sahara Nations. OEF-TS fosters collaboration and communication among participating countries. Furthermore, OEF-TS strengthens counterterrorism and border security, promotes democratic governance, reinforces bilateral military ties, and enhances development and institution building. U.S. Africa Command, through OEF-TS, provides training, equipment, assistance and advice to partner nation armed forces. This increases their capacity and capability to deny safe haven to terrorists and ultimately defeat extremist and terrorist activities in the region.

Building Partner Nation Capacity
Through OEF-TS, U.S. Africa Command trains, equips, assists and advises partner nations through activities including, but not limited to:
• Military information sharing
• Communications systems interoperability
• Joint, combined, and multinational exercises enhancing cooperation
• Countering extremist ideology
• Sustaining regional operations
• Building upon mutual military professionalism and accountability
• Airlift and logistical support
• Ground and aviation training and maintenance support

Developing Partner Nation Capability
OEF-TS extends previous efforts to train and equip company-sized rapid reaction forces to help stem the flow of illicit arms, goods, and people, and to preclude terrorists from establishing sanctuaries. Under the program, U.S. service members provide training, equipment and logistical capability to specific units to meet United Nations peace operations standards. U.S. forces also provide mentorship on military leadership and responsibility, and exemplify democratic ideals of civilian control of the military.

Other OEF-TS Efforts
OEF-TS also provides military support to public diplomacy, information programs, humanitarian assistance, and infrastructure development. The Multinational Information Sharing Initiative (MISI) provides training and equipment to build an information sharing capability with, and between, the Trans-Sahara partners. Sharing information empowers nations to attain information superiority that leads to successful operations.

Engagement Activities
U.S. Africa Command will engage OEF-TS nations and support TSCTP through a variety of activities, such as:
• Joint Planning Assistance Teams (JPAT)
• Mobile Training Teams (MTT)
• Civil-Military Support Elements (CMSE)
• Military Information Support Teams (MIST)
• Joint Combined Exchange Training (JCET)
• Foreign Military Financing, Foreign Military Sales, and International Military Education and Training
• Senior Leader Engagement to gain perspective and build regional cooperation

Multinational Support
As a top priority, increasing multinational partner support for TSCTP will build upon existing African regional coalitions, such as the African Union (AU) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). U.S. Africa Command is actively engaging other countries and organizations to join TSCTP efforts.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is OEF-TS?

U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) Operation Enduring Freedom Trans Sahara (OEF-TS) is the U.S. Government's Regional War on Terrorism Operation and provides military support to the Trans Sahara Counter Terrorism Partnership (TSCTP) program. OEF-TS engagement in TSCTP focuses on overall security and cooperation rather than solely on Counter Terrorism. OEF-TS partnership comprises the United States and ten African countries: Algeria, Burkina Faso, Morocco, Tunisia, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, and Senegal.

What is TSCTP?

TSCTP is a State Department-led initiative specifically developed to address potential expansion of operations by terrorist and extremist organizations across West and North Africa. Interagency coordination is critical to its success. The partnership comprises: Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, and Senegal and the United States.

What does U.S. Africa Command do to support OEF-TS?

U.S Africa Command facilitates programs that expand military-to-military cooperation between the US and partner nations by ensuring there is adequate resources available to train, advise, and assist regional units with the hope of promoting better regional cooperation, communications, and intelligence sharing. U.S. Africa Command will conduct train and equip missions to build Company level units that are capable of providing sustained border security. Also U.S. Africa Command facilitates partner national staff information training and mentorship programs, conduct JPAT and MIST training, and hold JCET events in all nine countries. To build regional cooperation, an annual regional CT exercise will involve all countries as well as mentors and observers from African partners. As the military support to TSCTP, OEF-TS is currently building an information sharing portal and standing up regional communications infrastructure to improve connectivity between partner countries.

What is a JPAT?

A Joint Planning and Assistance Team is a four- to six-man element that advises and helps partner nation forces on a wide variety of military missions.

What is an MTT?

A Mobile Training Team is tailored to conduct specific military training to increase the capabilities of nations.

What is a CMSE?

A Civil-Military Support Element (CMSE) assesses partner nation capacities to develop and sustain government and local institutions, including infrastructure development, that address the population’s basic humanitarian needs.

What is a JCET?

Joint Combined Exchange Training (JCET) events provide special opportunities to enhance training, foster communication and cultural exchanges between militaries.

What is a MIST?

A Military Information Support Team (MIST) is a tailored package that supports State Department and U.S. embassy public diplomacy and information programs. It provides advice and assistance to a partner nation to promote good governance activities, and in the TSP region, to counter terrorist and extremist ideology and recruiting efforts.

Related content: Trans-Sahara Counterterrorism Partnership Factsheet