• About Us
  • Careers
  • Brand Partnerships
TFI Official Merchandise
TFI English
TFI हिन्दी
Monday, June 5, 2023
TFIGlobal
TFIGlobal
Right Arm. Round the World. FAST.
No Result
View All Result
  • Premium
  • Indo-Pacific
  • Americas
  • Canada
  • Indian Subcontinent
  • West Asia
  • Europe
  • Africa
  • The Caribbean
  • Premium
  • Indo-Pacific
  • Americas
  • Canada
  • Indian Subcontinent
  • West Asia
  • Europe
  • Africa
  • The Caribbean
TFIGlobal
TFIGlobal
No Result
View All Result

The Great African Coup Training Program: Made in the USA

Meghna Muralidharan by Meghna Muralidharan
March 28, 2023
in Geopolitics, Premium
Reading Time: 4 mins read
0
Pentagon's International Military Education and Training program
219
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Pentagon’s International Military Education and Training program: Well, it seems like the US has been putting its nose in African politics for so long that it might as well have a permanent residency there! With the earliest foreign military interventions and the CIA’s alleged government toppling skills, it’s no surprise that the US has become quite the expert in meddling. But, let’s take a break from the rumors and hearsay, as we finally have a confession straight from the horse’s mouth – or rather, from the US itself.

US General’s shocking admission

As per a recent report, General Michael Langley, the head of the US AFRICOM, appeared to have admitted that the Pentagon’s “core values,” which have been instilled into tens of thousands of African military officers, are compatible with staging coups. The general made this confession during a House Armed Services Committee hearing on Thursday while being grilled by Republican Matt Gaetz (Florida).

Also Read

Josep Borell tells Zelensky the sweet magical word- Surrender!

Political Crisis: So it’s basically the US vs Russia in Sudan

Initially, Langley was unable to estimate how many US-trained African officers had gone on to stage coups, but he claimed that it was “less than one percent” and credited the Pentagon’s International Military Education and Training program.

(Source: The Boston Globe)

A 2017 study published in the Journal of Peace Research analyzed data from 1970 to 2009 and found a “robust relationship between US training of foreign militaries and military-backed coup attempts,” despite focusing solely on the civilian-government-centric Pentagon’s International Military Education and Training program.

Read More: The African anarchy: Brought to You By the US!

An Intercept article revealed that US-trained officers had staged at least eight successful coups in West Africa alone since 2008. While citing the article Gaetz asked Langley whether the ‘core values’ instilled in that curriculum were compatible with program graduate Col. Mamady Doumbouya, who overthrew the Guinean government while his unit was in training with US Green Berets in September 2021. Langley affirmed that the “core values” of “respect for civilian governance, apolitical” were what most trainees retain, despite being questioned by Gaetz.

(Source: Business Nigeria)

Furthermore, after Amadou Sanogo, a Malian officer trained by the US, overthrew his country’s government in 2012, he also attributed his success to his American training. The Pentagon has not commented on whether Captain Ibrahim Traore, who overthrew Burkina Faso’s government last year, was trained by the US or not. However, the leader he ousted, Lt. Col. Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba, had participated in at least six US training exercises before staging his own coup earlier that year. As Langley admitted, the US military does not keep records of what happens to officers after they complete their training.

US training Africa’s coup leaders

The confession from the head of the US AFRICOM is a significant development, especially given the West’s growing desperation to project itself as a reliable partner for Africa’s development. However, the US’s actions paint an entirely different picture.

Read More: What’s Behind the Pentagon’s Plan to move AFRICOM Headquarters

The US has previously admitted that coup leaders have received training in the country. For example, the leader of a military coup in Mali received military training in the US on several occasions. Capt. Amadou Haya Sanogo, who led a renegade military faction and deposed Mali’s democratically elected president, visited the US several times for professional military education, including basic officer training. Similarly, coups have been staged in Guinea and Burkina Faso.

(Source: CNN)

Political instability has cost the African continent dearly, despite being blessed with abundant natural resources. Africa’s economic backwardness is primarily due to prolonged political instability, coups, and crises. The admission of the US’s role in staging some of these coups is an eye-opener, and it only confirms reports that have suggested the US may have been behind orchestrating coups in African countries.

Read More: CAR president is a Russian ally, and Biden has now asked UN “peacekeepers” to topple him

The issue of military coups has been a longstanding concern in Africa since the decades following independence, and there are growing fears that they are returning to the continent. In 2021, there were four successful military takeovers in Chad, Mali, Guinea, and Sudan, which is up from one in 2020.

Reports suggest that the US, under the guise of promoting a commitment to democracy, has been training coup leaders. From 2020 to 2022, at least four West African governments have been overthrown by US-trained officers. Furthermore, there are indications that other graduates have also undermined civilian governments in other parts of the continent. However, the US Africa Command (AFRICOM) has not been able to explain why there has been a surge of coups.

(Source: The SAFIA Blog)

The US has trained thousands of African soldiers, from infantrymen rehearsing counterterrorism raids on the edge of the Sahara to senior commanders attending the US Military Academy at West Point. These programs are a central aspect of US policy on the continent.

Read More: CIA’s African obsession means bombs, bullets and a whole lot of meddling

Indeed, General Langley’s admission brings into question the true intentions of the Pentagon’s International Military Education and Training program in Africa. While the US claims that these programs are aimed at promoting democracy and stability, the fact that some of the trained officers have gone on to stage coups raises doubts about the effectiveness and sincerity of these efforts.

(Source: The Africa Report)

Furthermore, the US’s denial of any responsibility for the actions of these officers is concerning. If the US is going to train African military officers, they should at least make sure they’re not teaching them how to stage a coup d’état 101.

Read More: West Africa used to be the Global HQ of political coups. Well not anymore!

Moving forward, African leaders need to be vigilant about who they cozy up to and ensure that they’re not just exchanging their sovereignty for empty promises. After all, it’s better to be safe than sorry!

Tags: AfricomBURKINA FASOCaptain Ibrahim TraoreLangleyMaliPentagon
ShareTweetSend
Previous Post

Aadhar Shila Temple Jodhpur, Timings, History, Travel Guide and How to reach

Next Post

Zelensky’s Ukrainian International Legion is the scam of the decade

Also Read

Zelensky will contest elections only if his victory is guaranteed

Zelensky will contest elections only if his victory is guaranteed

June 5, 2023
11th July: The date set by Victoria Nuland for WWIII

11th July: The date set by Victoria Nuland for WWIII

May 31, 2023
The ‘Second Step’ of Russia’s Balkan Checkmate is in motion!

The ‘Second Step’ of Russia’s Balkan Checkmate is in motion!

May 31, 2023
In just one year, Zelensky’s Bayraktar Fantasy has Fizzled Out

In just one year, Zelensky’s Bayraktar Fantasy has Fizzled Out

May 30, 2023
Load More

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

I agree to the Terms of use and Privacy Policy.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
11th July: The date set by Victoria Nuland for WWIII

11th July: The date set by Victoria Nuland for WWIII

May 31, 2023
Alberta wildfires are not an act of God but an act of the federal government

Alberta wildfires are not an act of God but an act of the federal government

May 29, 2023
UAE’s Record Gold Purchase from Russia could have De-dollarization written all over it

UAE’s Record Gold Purchase from Russia could have De-dollarization written all over it

May 29, 2023
Oh Well, Germany is Planning a War with Russia (Psst… to Win Elections at Home)

Oh Well, Germany is Planning a War with Russia (Psst… to Win Elections at Home)

June 1, 2023
With one shocking scandal, Ursula just lost Bulgaria entirely

With one shocking scandal, Ursula just lost Bulgaria entirely

May 29, 2023
Western media barred from covering OPEC proceedings

Western media barred from covering OPEC proceedings

June 5, 2023
Zelensky’s most embarrassing international summit since Feb 2022

Zelensky’s most embarrassing international summit since Feb 2022

June 5, 2023
Duda’s dirty politics begins its reverse countdown and reignites Tusk’s bid

Duda’s dirty politics begins its reverse countdown and reignites Tusk’s bid

June 5, 2023
Gayness will be the end of Justin Trudeau

Gayness will be the end of Justin Trudeau

June 5, 2023
Zelensky will contest elections only if his victory is guaranteed

Zelensky will contest elections only if his victory is guaranteed

June 5, 2023
Youtube Twitter Facebook
TFIGlobal
  • About us
  • Contact Us
  • Terms of use
  • Privacy Policy

©2023 - TFI MEDIA PRIVATE LIMITED

No Result
View All Result
  • Premium
  • Indo-Pacific
  • Americas
  • Canada
  • Indian Subcontinent
  • West Asia
  • Europe
  • Africa
  • The Caribbean

©2023 - TFI MEDIA PRIVATE LIMITED

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

Follow us on Twitter

and never miss an insightful take by the TFIGlobal team

Follow @tfiglobal
This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. View our Privacy and Cookie Policy.