Inhofe Stresses Growing Strategic Importance of Africa to U.S. National Security

Hearing

U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today gave an opening statement at a hearing to consider the nominations of Lieutenant General Michael E. Langley, to be general and Commander, United States Africa Command, and Lieutenant General Bryan P. Fenton, to be general and Commander, United States Special Operations Command.

As Prepared For Delivery:

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thanks to our nominees for being with us today. They've been nominated to oversee commands that are critical to implementing the National Defense Strategy.

I've always viewed Africa as critical to our national security, which is why I pushed for the creation of AFRICOM in 2007, and why 15 years later, the role of AFRICOM is more important than ever.

Despite this, AFRICOM has never been given the resources it needs to do its job. Administration after administration has failed to appreciate the strategic importance of Africa.

Our adversaries aren't making the same mistake that we are. I've seen it first-hand during my 170 country visits to the continent.

I understand that DOD is considering plans that would further diminish support to the command, including merging AFRICOM's special operations component with EUCOM's, and cutting manpower at the Army's component focused on Africa.

Let me be clear: I would strongly oppose any such efforts, and would urge my colleagues to do the same. Given the growing strategic importance of Africa to our national security, these would be short-sighted and would make implementing the NDS in Africa much harder.

I look to our nominees to describe to us and the American people why it's important the United States stay meaningfully engaged on the continent, and back it up with the necessary resources.

And, General Langley, once you assume your role, I want you to keep in mind the legacy of AFRICOM, how far we've come, and how much more work needs to be done.

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