Area of Responsibility Family and Marriage Political Systems
Economic Systems US InterestsOverview
Slide 3
Geography 2nd largest continent 11.6 mil square miles: 20% of
Earths land Longest river (Nile) & largest desert (Sahara) 54
countries: does not include Egypt (CENTCOM) Accounts for 14% of
worlds population Area of Responsibility
Slide 4
Family Importance The most important social unit Identity:
Clear Roles Expected to share resources, hospitality, food, etc.
Family & Marriage
Slide 5
Marriage and Procreation Children represent the bond between
their parents families The number of children is a source of pride
and prestige Represent continued flow of life Represent continued
flow of life Children also valued as a source of labor when
necessary Children also valued as a source of labor when
necessary
Slide 6
Family & Marriage Women Perform most domestic tasks; care
for children, sick and elderly; grow and harvest food Traditionally
limited access to education and subservient to men by custom or law
Status improving in most communities
Slide 7
Colonial Period Europeans colonized & drew boundaries
Ethnic groups: Some divided up to 4 different countries Some
opposing groups in single states Conflict, war, & devastation
Authoritarian Rule Europeans undermined & devalued African
people Backed political corruption with military Political
Systems
Slide 8
Civil Conflicts Central African Wars: Rwanda 1994 Democratic
Republic of Congo: 1 million killed Africas First World War
Organization of African Unity in 1963 Independence
Under-educated/ill-prepared to establish govt Problems with
boundaries Many types of govt Political Systems
Slide 9
Vast Potential Wealth People Natural Resources Most
Underdeveloped 70% live in rural areas or small villages Most are
farmers small plots of land Economic Systems
Slide 10
Traditional Jobs: fishing, herding, hunting, etc. Large City
Migration High Unemployment Income 50% live on < $1 a day
Economic Systems
Slide 11
Oil & Global Trade Natural resources dominate products from
Africa Supply same amount of crude oil as Middle East 5 th largest
supplier to US World oil prices affected by Nigeria & Libya
Maritime Security Illegal fishing, trafficking, & piracy
Inadequate policing of waters Piracy & sabotage of oil
production facilities US Interests
Slide 12
Armed Conflicts Political conflict & instability results in
human suffering & undermined development Most of UN peace
operations Lack ability to militarily participate in efforts
Violent Extremism Counter-terrorism efforts Terrorist attacks on US
embassies Kidnapping, trafficking, under-governed areas US
Interests
Slide 13
HIV/AIDS 22 mil HIV = 67% of infected worldwide Leading cause
of death High infection rate of African security forces Inability
to deploy forces Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR)
US Interests
Slide 14
Area of Responsibility Family and Marriage Political Systems
Economic Systems US InterestsSummary
