Africa is on a positive course in reducing conflict, building democratic institutions, and promoting sustainable livelihood for its people, said General William E. Ward, commander of U.S. Africa Command, as he explained the command's role in building African security capacity.

Testifying for the first time since U.S. AFRICOM achieved Unified Command Status (October, 2008), Ward outlined the command's activities, strategies, and programs before the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, March 17, 2009, in Washington, D.C.

According to Ward, U.S. AFRICOM's strategies and programs were developed and fine-tuned over the past year based on discussions with dozens of senior political and military leaders from across Africa. This "listening and learning" approach by Ward and his staff allows them to respond appropriately to the needs of African partners and to tailor programs and activities to best meet each nation's individual needs, he said.

"The common message from most of them (African leaders) is their desire to develop a security infrastructure at the national, regional, and continental levels with legitimate and professional security forces and organizations," Ward wrote in an introduction of his prepared testimony.

Africa Command assists leaders in meeting their security goals through a variety of military-to-military programs which focus on conflict and crisis prevention, rather than reaction. This long-term approach, called "sustained security engagement," helps African militaries to increase their capabilities and capacity to provide for their own security.

"Africa is a complex environment requiring a new and different approach. Its unique challenges demand a long-term rather than a near-term focus," Ward stressed.

During the testimony, Ward also described the challenging political environment in Africa, noting enduring conflicts, illicit trafficking, territorial disputes, rebel insurgencies, violent extremists, piracy, and illegal immigration as some of the continent's greatest security threats.

U.S. Africa Command seeks to address these challenges in pursuance of a more stable and secure Africa, as well as a more secure global environment.

Ward's previous testimony took place one year ago on March 13, 2008 when he first presented his goals and strategies for U.S. Africa Command to the House Armed Services Committee. Since that time, the command has officially been established as the 6th U.S. regional command, taking control of 172 missions, activities, programs, and exercises, which were previously divided among U.S. European Command, U.S. Central Command, and U.S. Pacific Command.

For Ward's complete written testimony, visit http://www.africom.mil/getArticle.asp?art=2816&lang=0.