Source: United States Senator for Oklahoma James Inhofe
Today, U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), ranking member of Senate Armed Services Committee, questioned two key military nominees about U.S. national security priorities in Africa.
The nominees included Lieutenant General Michael E. Langley, to be general and Commander, United States Africa Command, and Lieutenant General Bryan P. Fenton, to be general and Commander, United States Special Operations Command.
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Inhofe: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. As I mentioned in my opening statement, and to both of you in my office, that I understand DOD is considering plans that would downgrade support to AFRICOM, and I’m still kind of pursuing this and seeing the nature of this downgrade that is rumored. Let me say again that I’d strongly oppose this. AFRICOM needs more resources, not less. So, I’d ask both of you to respond that, if confirmed, will you both commit to assess DOD’s resourcing plans for AFRICOM and make sure that it has the support that it needs?
Fenton: Senator, I will.
Langley: Yes, Senator.
Inhofe: And will you report back to this committee on those efforts?
Fenton: Senator, I will.
Langley: Yes, Senator.
Inhofe: And Western Sahara — General Langley, as I mentioned in my office, I am deeply concerned about the plight of the people of Western Sahara. For more than five decades, the Sahrawi people have been subjected to repeated broken promises and vicious attacks by the Moroccan government. Morocco has done nothing to repair the damage that they’ve done to the Sahrawi people after all these years, and they’ve done nothing to show they’re serious about resolving the crisis. Instead, they’ve misled multiple American administrations on their willingness to negotiate — or I’d say unwillingness to negotiate — a mutually agreeable outcome to that issue. That’s why I’ve spoken to Senator Rounds and other members of this committee on this issue and why I have pushed DOD to look at the alternative locations for the annual African Lion military exercise that’s been hosted in Morocco previously. I’m pleased that Secretary Austin is in agreement with me on this issue and so I’d ask each one of you to respond as to whether or not you are also in agreement.
Fenton: Yes, Senator.
Langley: Yes, Senator.
Inhofe: Oh, OK. Thank you very much. Thank you.