Good signs in Africa

ARTICLE: China welcomes UN resolution on deploying "hybrid" force in Darfur, Xinhua, August 2, 2007

Good signs on many levels.

First, despite my constant dissing, the Euros can play a crucial door-opening role on African peacekeeping (although one fears a peacemaking precusor role is required, and there we might be back to some of the rules-of-engagement conundrums we see with NATO in Afghanistan, so the size of the force is less crucial than the ROE). I mean, until somebody shows up, the chance of the AU reaching critical mass on its own is near zero.

Second, watch Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa help the AU very quietly and behind the scenes. Anything that triggers movement up that learning curve (for both sides) is very good.

Third, China's approval, while costing nothing, is a step forward. Far more important step would be an Africom or NATO or the UN talking China into its own contingent of troops. If I am Gen. Kip Ward, new head of Africom, I am all over this opportunity.

Finally, note the SysAdmin make-up of the force, which is "hybrid" in more than one way. My only fear? Not enough muscle, which is why my SysAdmin always includes Marines.

Thanks to Jamie Ruehl for sending this.

Comments

[D Blair]

At the end of PNM, you listed 10 predictions for the coming years; one of those would be that Africa would be last place that gap reduction would occur. Now that China has an increased interest & presence in this continent do you think that maybe Africa's time table has moved up?

[Tom Barnett]

Yes. Vol. III will be (to me) surprisingly Africa-centric.

Unbelievably, I wasn't optimistic enough!