WASHINGTON — The U.S. Defense Department has approved a project for the upgrade of
infrastructure in Djibouti in western Africa.
The program was meant to
facilitate U.S. Navy operations in the Horn of Africa, particularly near
such countries as Somalia and Yemen, a route used often by Al Qaida.
The Pentagon has been working on establishing the military's African
Command. Officials said the Pentagon would launch discussions on the
location of the military command, Middle East Newsline reported.
"The importance of Africa is the reason we are establishing this new
unified command," Deputy Assistant Defense Secretary Theresa Whelan said on
Feb. 9. "This isn't about a scramble for the continent. This isn't about
chasing terrorists around Africa."
The Pentagon has awarded a $6.7 million contract to Kellogg Brown & Root
Services for the construction of facilities at a naval base in Obock,
Djibouti. Under the December 2006 award, the Arlington, Va.-based company
would construct a pier and boat ramp at the Obock Waterfront Facilities.
The award increased the value of the overall port project to $7.7
million. Officials said the project would take place in Obock, Djibouti.
The latest contract was expected to be completed by August 2007, the
Pentagon said. Officials said contract funds would not expire at the end of
the current fiscal year.
Rear Adm. Robert Moeller, whose team drafted Africom, said the command
would build partnerships, support U.S. government agencies, conduct regional
security cooperation and increase counter-insurgency skills of partner
nations.
"Virtually all these kinds of things are ongoing today," Moeller said.
"We think that we will be able to do all of these kinds of activities even
more effectively."