For Immediate Release                                                                              

May 14, 2010 

Contact: Kathryn Prael

(202) 226-8613

Chairman Tierney Comments on GAO Report on the

U.S. Military Task Force in the Horn of Africa

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman John F. Tierney (D-Mass), Chairman of the Oversight Subcommittee on National Security and Foreign Affairs, welcomed the release of the Government Accountability Office (GAO) Report, “DOD Needs to Determine the Future of Its Horn of Africa Task Force.” Chairman Tierney requested that GAO review the role of the Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), as well as U.S. Africa Command’s (AFRICOM’s) plans for it, in order to give Congress a clearer picture of U.S. military activities in the Horn of Africa.

In the report, GAO reviewed the funding, staffing, structure, and mission of CJTF-HOA. GAO found that while the Task Force has the potential to contribute positively to U.S. activities in its area of operation, it faces several challenges to being able to effectively carry out its mission. The GAO report includes several recommendations for AFRICOM that aim to improve CJTF-HOA’s long-term planning, staff training, and effectiveness.

In response to the release of the GAO report, Chairman Tierney issued the following statement:

“As criminal and terrorist threats continue to emerge from the Horn of Africa, it is particularly important that the U.S. has the tools it needs to engage constructively in that region as well as protect U.S. national security interests. We in Congress need to understand the challenges facing us as we continue to monitor the activities of AFRICOM and CJTF-HOA, which have been the subject of the Subcommittee’s sustained oversight focus. It is encouraging to learn that AFRICOM agrees with the GAO recommendations. However, this GAO report confirms that there is still work to do. 
 

“U.S. interests in the Horn of Africa require skillful diplomacy, effective development, and when appropriate, the capacity to offer military expertise or assistance. Congress needs to ensure that the right mix of resources is employed in this complex region.

“In coming weeks the Subcommittee will be meeting with representatives from the Command to assess their plans to address the recommendations made by GAO. It will also continue to monitor the Command’s mission and strategy throughout the continent to ensure that U.S. activities in Africa are achieving U.S. national security goals.”

The complete GAO report can be found online.