Maravi

Corrupt people can't run an effective military - Gen Ham

COMMENT - AFRICOM is highly corrupt, and highly anti-democratic. Perhaps General Ham can point out in which referendum African voters gave the greenlight to AFRICOM.

Corrupt people can't run an effective military - Gen Ham
By Joan Chirwa-Ngoma in Stuttgart, Germany
Mon 25 June 2012, 13:22 CAT

IT is impossible to have an effective military if it is led by corrupt individuals, says US AFRICOM commander General Carter Ham. And Zambia will next year host the Africa Endeavour, the largest joint military communications exercise on the continent sponsored by US Africa Command (AFRICOM).

During a meeting with media personnel from Zambia and Kenya last Friday, Gen Ham said military heads should be accountable to institutions they control and must operate in accordance with the rule of law.

He cautioned against using top positions in the military for personal gain, adding that lack of corruption and integrity were important ingredients to good governance.

"There are some military officials who use their positions for their personal gains while there are others who operate with integrity, free from corruption," Gen Ham said, noting that having high integrity military institutions free from corruption calls for an enduring process of vigilance and discipline.

"This is a long, enduring process…There should also be adequate laws to convict people who are corrupt," he advised, further highlighting US Africa Command's commitment to assisting African militaries maintain high levels of integrity and professionalism.

Zambia is next year expected to host the Africa Endeavour, an initiative of the US Africa Command that brings together African and American military personnel of different ranks to discuss several challenges and opportunities that exist between the two continents.

Cameroon has this year hosted the Africa Endeavour which ends on June 29, 2012.

"We do try to when we engage the military officials that they need to counter corruption and have integrity. Having institutions that are free of corruption is essential in all we do."

And the US President's Emergency Programme for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) is a very expensive and unsustainable initiative, according to Gen Ham.

He said a sustainable alternative to the PEPFAR was difficult to find as resources decline amidst increasing budgetary pressures in the US.

"Programmes like PEPFAR will get scrutinised…It is very difficult to see a sustainable alternative to PEPFAR," Gen Ham said.

The US government spends around US$18 million per year on PEPFAR in Zambia, a programme directed at prevention and treatment initiatives of HIV and AIDS. PEPFAR is however, considering focusing on prevention only as the treatment component is currently proving costly, according to a US AFRICOM official.

Gen Ham also said "the only way the US can achieve its objectives in Africa is through partnerships with African countries, bilaterally, regionally, individually".

"We will freely discuss proposals based on confidence and trust," he said.

"…There are still some African countries that question the intention of the US AFRICOM in Africa. And it is my job to put things in the correct perspective although I am not going to convince everybody. In fact, some people will continue to oppose AFRICOM."

There was serious opposition among many African countries following reports that the US government planned to set up its AFRICOM base on the continent.
"Where are okay where we are in Stuttgart and we will not move our base to Africa," he assured.

On China's massive investments in Africa within a few years of co-operation with many countries on the continent, Gen Ham said his government would explore best ways to co-exist with the former despite "not agreeing with them on a number of things".

"There is no military competition between the US and China. Instead, we are looking for opportunities to partner and work with the Chinese to advance the best interests of Africa," said Gen Ham. "We can work with them in areas such as construction. The Chinese can, for instance, construct schools, roads, airports and we can help with furnishing. We can share the burden."

Labels: AFRICOM, CORRUPTION

posted by MrK @ 2:58 PM