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AFRICOM seeks to boost security ties with Algeria

Xinhua, February 4, 2015 Adjust font size:

The United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) hopes to further deepen its security relations with Algeria and benefit from its expertise in countering terrorism, a senior U.S. official said here on Wednesday.

"My visit to Algeria aims at sharing and exchanging views with Algerian officials, and listen to their advice concerning a couple of security issues, particularly the fight against terrorism, and the situation in Libya and in the Sahel region," Phillip Carter, deputy to the Commander for Civil-Military Engagement of AFRICOM, told reporters after his meeting with Algerian Foreign Minister Ramtane Lamamra in the capital Algiers.

Carter added that "the fight against terrorism requires, in addition to the military aspect, the implementation of good governance and the promotion of tolerance culture."

Carter's visit to the north African nation comes five months after a visit by AFRICOM Commander, Gen. David Rodriguez, who described Algeria as "key partner for us, as we share convergent views on many issues."

AFRICOM is one of nine Unified Combatant Commands of the U.S. Armed Forces, responsible for U.S. military operations and military relations with 53 African nations.

However, Algerian opposition parties fear that the United States is pressing on the Algerian government to accept the establishment of foreign military bases under the AFRICOM in the country, allegations denied by the government.

In 2010, Algeria, Niger, Mali and Mauritania established the Joint Military Staff Committee of the Sahel Region, which aims at fighting terrorism and organized crime in the region.

The mechanism is seen also as an argument for the Sahel countries to block any potential foreign intervention in their region. Endit