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Journal of the Spanish Institute for Strategic Studies Núm. 12 / 2018 Revista del Instituto Español de Estudios Estratégicos n.º 12 - Año: 2018 - Págs.: 325 a 366 354 EUCAP Sahel-Niger70, launched in 2011, and EUCAP Sahel-Mali, since 2015, are eminently civilian missions set within the strategy framework for the Sahel. Their main purpose is to offer guidance and advice for the modernisation of the states’ secu-rity forces and law-enforcement agencies and to ensure their continued presence and effective control of the country. U.S. initiatives and actions The US presence in Africa received an impulse in the wake of President Barak Obama’s visit71 to Ghana in 2009, whose parliament witnessed his famous statement: “Africa doesn’t need strongmen, it needs strong institutions”72. Important milestones include the adoption of the “New Strategy Toward Sub-Saharan Africa”73 and the US-Africa summit held in Washington in the summer of 2014, although these had been preceded by the creation of the US Command for Africa (AFRICOM)74 in 2007. The “New Strategy Toward Sub-Saharan Africa” identifies the main challenges and threats to the continent, but also the development opportunities for its future75. In collaboration with regional organisations it sets the goals of strengthening democratic institutions; stimulating economic growth, trade and investment; making progress towards peace and security and promoting opportunities and development. AFRICOM plays a decisive role in the contribution to security and stability in the Sahel, offering advice for training of military officers as well as participating in exerci-ses such as Exercise Flintlock76. 70  “EUCAP Sahel-Níger”. On https://eeas.europa.eu/csdp-missions-operations/eucap-sahel-niger_ en. Date of reference 28/03/18. 71  OBAMA, Barak. On http://elpais.com/diario/2008/08/24/domingo/1219549953_850215.html. Date of reference 28/03/18. 72  On https://elpais.com/internacional/2009/07/11/actualidad/1247263203_850215.html. Date of reference 28/03/18. 73  “Nueva estrategia para el África Subsahariana”. On https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/ 2012/06/14/fact-sheet-new-strategy-toward-sub-saharan-africa. Y en https://www.whitehouse. gov/sites/default/files/docs/africa_strategy_2.pdf. Date of reference 28/03/18. 74  “AFRICOM. African Command”. Headquartered in Germany, it is one of six U.S. regional unified commands. Created on 01/10/07. On http://www.realinstitutoelcano.org/wps/portal/rielcano/ contenido?WCM_GLOBAL_CONTEXT=/elcano/elcano_es/programas/terrorismo+global/ publicaciones/publ-politicas+anterrorista+democs/ari+53-2007. Date of reference 28/03/18. 75  BOLAÑOS MARTÍNEZ, Jorge. “El África subsahariana en la política exterior norteamericana”. Documento informativo del IEEE 38/2012. (2012, June 20). On http://www.ieee.es/Galerias/fichero/ docs_informativos/2012/DIEEEI38-2012_Estrategia_USA-Africa_JBM.pdf. Date of reference 28/03/18. 76  “FLINTLOCK 18”. On http://www.africom.mil/media-room/pressrelease/30484/africom-announces- flintlock-2018. Date of reference 06/04/18.


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