We have sixteen years of USA direct involvement in Ethiopia's internal affairs by its embassy in Addis supporting and promoting unelected TPLF/EPRDF members. They have disregarded the human right violations and extrajudicial killings. In fact the US-Ethiopian relationship after 9/11 grew through the arming of the regime in the name of fighting terror and supporting the invasion of Somalia a year ago.
 
What will Africom do now that US embassies have not done before? Is it maybe to expand regimes like TPLF/EPRDF through out Africa by opening offices close by and working full time?
 
Rather Ethiopians and many other Africans need "dotcom" and expansion of information highway which the regime in Ethiopia and other dictators in Africa hate and block. They do so because information will challenge their hold on power by educating the public.
 
How can we believe the opening of new office by Africom will make a difference? VOA radio broadcasts are jammed so as not to reach millions of Ethiopians. The US officials never condemn such action. Can we believe such illegal actions will be better controlled by Africom?
 
Greater involvement by the US in Africa has no difference whatsoever than say former colonial powers rush to gain a foothold in Africa. They started by sending their missionaries and later their armies. I do not believe Africom will promote democracy or alleviate our economic hardship as it claims.
 
The USA should help in promoting the free flow of information. Investing in Internet technologies and connectivity and ensuring its radio broadcasts aren’t jammed by the government will be a start. They should not open additional offices to work with the tyrants who care less for the well being of their citizens.
 
The least the US can do for Africa is not to finance unelected regimes in the name of "war on terror", Making prudent decisions that benefits citizens of these countries will be good in the long run. Opening up offices for Africom though, will be a waste of tax payers money.

---