U.S. Military Contractors Move into Africa http://www.allgov.com/US_and_the_World/ViewNews/US_Military_Contractors_Move_into_Africa_100324

With the establishment of the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) in 2007, the U.S. decided to make security a key foreign policy objective. But AFRICOM has no U.S. military personnel. Instead, the U.S. is relying on private military contractors (PMCs) to provide logistical help and military training to African armies. The State Department is spending nearly $100 million a year on contractors.

DynCorp International could be paid up to $20 million for work in Liberia alone. Other companies hired to work in Liberia include PAE Government Services, a subsidiary of Lockheed Martin and Protection Strategies, with each receiving $375 million. KBR was contracted to support military bases in Djibouti, Kenya and Ethiopia. Northrop Grumman was awarded $75 million to train 40,000 African peacekeepers over five years. And MPRI, a division of L-3 Communications, will train militaries in 10 African countries including South Africa.