ABSTRACT
This chapter argues that the presence of United States (US) Africa Command (AFRICOM) bases in African states is detrimental to the overall development of the African continent. It highlights the role of information within the militarization of development. AFRICOM is a key part of the US government–business–media (GBM) as the government advances its expansion into Africa through AFRICOM. The GBM has two types of labour, namely affective and infrastructural labour. The US is primarily interested in the preservation of its security and economic interests, which are often contrary to the interests of African states. It has been argued that one of the main objectives of AFRICOM is to counterbalance China’s influence in Africa. Nsia-Pepra posits that the countering of the influence of its strategic rivals, specifically China, has reignited US interest in Africa. This highlights the self-interest aspect of the US–Africa engagement. AFRICOM is a tool to further the geo-strategic objectives of the US vis-a-vis China.
