US Taking a Hands-Off Approach to African Security

US believes that African countries are best able to address their own security challenges, according to the media engagement chief at US Africa Command.

MOSCOW (Sputnik), Alexander Mosesov — African countries are in the best position to maintain their own security, the media engagement chief at US Africa Command (USAFRICOM) told Sputnik on Tuesday.

"We believe that it is Africans who are best able to address African security challenges," Benjamin Benson told the news agency.

At the same time, Benson added that the United States will support its African partners in defense and security efforts "where our partnership is welcomed and desired."

The media engagement chief noted that the United States participates actively in the Flintlock annual regional exercise currently underway in Chad, which helps "to improve partner nation capacity during counter-Violent Extremist Organization operations."

Established in 2007, USAFRICOM, the Combatant Command of the US Armed Forces, is headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany.