Today, Africa's progress matters more than ever to the security and prosperity of the United States and our allies in Europe.
Some of the challenges on the continent are its immense landmass, fast-growing economies, continued diffusion of communications technologies, 400 ethnic groups, more than 2,000 languages, and a population that will almost double from 1.2 billion in 2016 to 2 billion in 2050.
Despite Africa's recent progress, if unemployment remains at current levels with an increasingly larger and more urban population, the continent will face continued political and security challenges -- especially with the potential for organized crime and recruitment of the disenfranchised by Islamist militant groups increases.
Africa already faces threats from violent extremist organizations (VEOs), such as Boko Haram in Central and West Africa, Al Shabaab in the East, al Qaeda in the Sahel region, and the Islamic State and the Levant (ISIL) in the North. The VEO threat not only affects African partners but also directly impacts the security of the United States and our European allies as demonstrated by the recent attacks in Paris, Brussels, Istanbul, Ankara, San Bernardino and Orlando. To counter the VEO threat, U.S. Army Africa / Southern European Task Force supports U.S. Africa Command's theater campaign plan (TCP) in achieving security initiatives outlined by the 2015 National Strategy and the 2014 Quadrennial Review by assisting African security partners in establishing an effective land power network.
THE LONG GAME
USARAF's long-term efforts to build and expand the African land power network supports the counter-VEO fight. Winning the fight against this threat will not occur overnight and requires a whole of government approach and desired effects will take time to achieve. In support of the U.S. Department of State, USAFRICOM is focused on building African security institutions that enable counter-VEO efforts and provide security conditions that will support economic prosperity and expansion of human rights as well as the rule of law.
SECURITY FORCE ASSISTANCE
USARAF's yearly security cooperation activities are expanding the global land power network and supporting U.S. strategic objectives. Security cooperation is our daily steady state effort to support USAFRICOM's TCP and enhances Army support to Combatant Commanders through building relationships with and capacity and capability of allies and international partners; providing peacetime and contingency access to host nations; and responding to and/or managing the "New Normal" environment.
African Horizons articulates the WAYS in which USARAF applies security funding and authorities to achieve objectives and desired effects. It is a comprehensive approach to synchronize Army activities over time to achieve strategic objectives, linking bilateral activities with key influencers to achieve regional effects that build toward African security. African Horizons symbolizes the responsibilities, strategic focus, and variety of activities conducted by USARAF.
THE RAF'S ROLE IN THEATER SECURITY COOPERATION ACTIVITIES AND OPERATIONS
The regionally allocated forces (RAF) plays a major role in supporting USARAF's Theater Security Cooperation Activities and ongoing operations on the continent. During fiscal year 2016, RAF units provided Soldiers supporting hundreds of security cooperation activities throughout USAFRICOM's area of responsibility. The RAF Brigade trained approximately 7,000 African Soldiers in these security cooperation missions -- providing critical training in logistics, command and control, peacekeeping operations, intelligence, and basic and advanced infantry training. In addition to executing USARAF's security cooperation missions, RAF units provided several hundred Soldiers to support five ongoing operations. Their effect throughout Africa is strategic because small teams of U.S. Soldiers led by junior leaders enable our partners to better fight the VEO threat. RAF units continue to prove invaluable in supporting USAFRICOM's lines of effort; however, balancing the requirement for maintaining and building unit readiness with the need for engagement and partnering is challenging.
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