U.S. Senate

I urged the MCC, the Department of State, and the Government of El Salvador, prior to a final decision to provide the funds for a second compact, to do more to address these problems which is necessary for the rule of law and economic growth in that coun

United States Africa Command protects and defends the national security interests of the United States by strengthening the defense capabilities of African states and regional organizations, and, when directed, conducts military operations, in order to deter and defeat transnational threats and to provide a security environment conducive to good governance and development. This year marks the fifth anniversary of the formation of the command. Since our start in 2008, our operational capabilities and capacities have markedly increased. In parallel, our relationship with African partners and our security cooperation engagements have matured in both focus and effectiveness. Our integrated approach seeks to address the greatest near-term threats to our national security while simultaneously building long-term partnerships and fostering regional cooperation.

Mali's March 21, 2012, military coup d'etat ended two decades of Malian democracy, resulted in the loss of the northern Mali to extremist groups, and further destabilized an already fragile Sahel region. Mali is now facing four distinct but overlapping challenges - the restoration of democratic governance, political negotiations with northern groups that reject extremism, al Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb's expanded presence in northern Mali, and an ongoing humanitarian crisis. Mali, regional partners, and the international community must respond to each of these challenges simultaneously. Our response to any one of these challenges must not be dependent on the achievement of another.

There now exists a better chance for peace in eastern Congo than at any time since the current deadly cycle of conflict began in the mid-1990s. A number of variables contribute to this unique opportunity.