Strong logistics capabilities crucial to crises response in Africa – Gen. Waldhauser

Commander of the U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM), Gen. Thomas D. Waldhauser, informed stakeholders at the African Union on Thursday that strong logistics capabilities are crucial to crises response in a timely manner in view of the vast distances in Africa.

By Alpha Bedoh Kamara

The Commission of the African Union (AU), in partnership with the U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM) and the U.S. Africa Center for Strategic Studies, concluded the fourth African Logistics Forum (ALF), at the AU Headquarters, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

He said organizing the right equipment and supplies; moving troops at the right time by land, sea, and air; and ensuring the processes are in place for acquisition, sustainment, and maintenance are critical and essential to operational success.

“Without proper, timely, and flexible logistics support, our exercises and operations are simply not possible,” he added.

The ALF 2017 brought together civilian and uniformed logistics experts, representing more than 30 African countries, representatives from the African Union, Member states, Regional Economic Communities/Regional Mechanisms(RECs/RMs), European Union (EU), United Nations (UN), and various U.S. Government agencies as well as, multinational partners.

The Commissioner for Peace and Security, Ambassador Smail Chergui, said converting political will and resolve into responsive and effective interventions requires a sound logistics foundation.

“Whether preventing the outbreak of violence, providing humanitarian assistance or carrying out peace support operations, African countries and regional organizations need to have effective logistics arrangements in place to support these activities,’’ the Commissioner said.

The Head of the PSOD, Mr Sivuyile Bam, said there is need for continued engagements to materialize the necessary support to AU peace support operations. He also encouraged the RECs/RMs to continue to work with their Member States to fill the logistics gap, while the CLB and the RLDs are being established.

The Africa Report on Internal Displacement, launched in Addis Ababa on Friday, 9 December 2016, finds that in 2015 alone, 3.5 million people were displaced by conflict, violence and rapid-onset disasters in Africa. An average of more than 9,500 people per day uprooted from their homes. At the end of 2015, a total of 12.4 million people were living in ongoing displacement in 21 African countries as a result of conflict and violence.