U.S. Africa Command Cultivates Partnership with Central African Republic through the role of the Inspector General and Legal Advisors

U.S. Africa Command’s Office of Inspector General (IG) and Office of Legal Counsel (OLC) took part in a professional military exchange with the Central African Republic's armed forces Inspector General, Dec. 5-6, in Bangui.

By U.S. Africa Command Public Affairs , United States Africa Command BANGUI, Central African Republic (CAR) Dec 10, 2024

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BANGUI, Central African Republic (CAR) – U.S. Africa Command’s Office of Inspector General (IG) and Office of Legal Counsel (OLC) took part in a professional military exchange with the Central African Republic's armed forces Inspector General, Dec. 5-6, in Bangui. The office falls under the country’s Ministry of Defence.

The U.S. visit began with meetings on Dec. 4. U.S. Ambassador to the Central African Republic Patricia Mahoney and AFRICOM’s delegation led by Col. Valentin Maldonado III, Inspector General, and Lt. Col. Justin Barnes, attorney for the Office of Legal Counsel, met with the country’s Defence Minister Rameaux-Claude Bireau; Gen. Leopold Bruno Izamo, Inspector General; and Gen. Zephlin Mamadou, Chief of General Staff of the Central African Republic Armed Forces (FACA).

The Central African Republic’s Ministry of Defence has outlined its vision for the Office of Inspector General and is working to further develop and implement that vision. The professional military exchange provided an opportunity for thoughtful discussions about the role of the Inspector General and Legal Advisors in ensuring accountability and ethical conduct within military operations.

"This mission of the Inspector General’s office is pivotal to the longevity of any organization, especially within the realm of defense,” said Maldonado. “As the leader of an office designed to promote efficiency, effectiveness and operational integrity through impactful audits, evaluations, investigations, and reviews, I am pleased to have the opportunity to discuss our processes, which promote accountability and ethical conduct within military operations.”

“A professional, accountable military is essential to maintaining legitimacy and trust,” said Barnes. “Engaging with our IG and legal counterparts from the Central African Republic is an important step in fostering the concepts of transparency, internal governance and rule of law, which support equality of all citizens before the law. These concepts are foundational to professional militaries.”

During the exchange, AFRICOM's delegates discussed the relationship between the IG, Legal Advisors, and military commanders, which is vital in responding to emerging challenges and a necessary component in developing an effective system of military justice. The group also shared the history, evolution, structure and current role of the IG as well as legal discussions on military justice and its foundations, taught, in part, by Capt. Charles Blanton, International law officer for the U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) Civil Affairs Battalion, Forward Detachment.

Central African Republic representatives, in turn, shared their vision and progress toward developing a comprehensive IG program.

“At the center of the U.S. government’s partnership with the Central African Republic is our shared goal of strengthening the foundations of the FACA so that it can protect the human rights, democratic values, and rule of law that benefit all Central Africans,” said U.S. Ambassador to the Central African Republic Patricia Mahoney.

Beyond this week’s military to military exchange, the United States is committed to supporting the Central African Republic as it implements reforms to enhance its judicial system. U.S.-funded programs have concentrated on building the capacity of internal security forces and supporting the rule of law. For example, the American Bar Association’s Rule of Law Initiative has provided legal aid clinics in rural communities and supported criminal courts. Specifically, the creation of the Special Criminal Court has helped deliver justice for victims of violent crimes. Additionally, USAID development assistance projects and Embassy Public Affairs grants in the Central African Republic include programs to strengthen human rights and reduce intercommunal tension and armed group violence.

U.S. Africa Command, one of 11 U.S. Department of Defense combatant commands, is responsible for employing broad-reaching diplomacy, development, and defense approaches to foster partnership efforts to promote regional security, stability, and prosperity. U.S. AFRICOM’s area of responsibility consists of 53 African states, more than 800 ethnic groups, over 1,000 languages, vast natural resources, a land mass that is three-and-a-half times the size of the U.S., and nearly 19,000 miles of coastland. Working alongside its partners, AFRICOM counters transnational threats and malign actors, strengthens security forces and responds to crises.

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