WASHINGTON (AFP) – Defense Secretary Leon Panetta on Thursday nominated a former senior commander in Afghanistan as the new head of the military’s Africa Command, which oversees US security efforts on the continent.

The change in leadership comes amid growing concerns over Al-Qaeda’s affiliates in the region, particularly in Mali, and a deadly attack on a US consulate in Libya linked to Islamist extremists.

Panetta said General David Rodriguez, who served as the deputy American commander in Afghanistan and helped plan the “surge” of additional troops in the war, was well-suited to the post.

As chief of the NATO-led force’s joint command, Rodriguez “oversaw the coalition and Afghan forces during the surge, and was a key architect of the successful campaign plan that we are now implementing,” Panetta told a news conference.

Rodriguez, known by troops as “General Rod” and who currently serves as head of US Army Forces command, was touted as a possible chief commander for Afghanistan last year. The job however went to a Marine, General John Allen, who after a year in Kabul is due to hand over soon to another Marine, General Joseph Dunford.

If his nomination is confirmed by the Senate as expected, Rodriguez will succeed General Carter Ham, who played a key role in the NATO air war in Libya.

As head of Africa Command, Rodriguez would help oversee counter-terrorism missions in Somalia, Yemen, Mali, Nigeria and elsewhere, as well as training and other efforts designed to bolster US military ties across the region.

The command’s headquarters is based in Stuttgart, Germany.

Panetta also named General John Paxton as the new number two of the US Marine Corps, as the outgoing assistant to the commandant, Dunford, will soon be taking over as the top US and NATO military chief in Afghanistan.


http://www.vanguardngr.com/2012/10/us-army-general-nominated-to-counter-terrorism-in-nigeria-others/

God help him .

We need drone strikes in the north

These Americans are too much.
Always looking out for their citizens.
PROUD TO BELONG!

Do we liken him(Gen. Rod) to Jack bauer? Hmm...lets watch and see.Nigeria can no longer solve its problem #pity

I hope Nigerian terrorism doesn't counter him instead.

Basic: I hope Nigerian terrorism doesn't counter him instead.

lol

Callotti: These Americans are too much.
Always looking out for their citizens.
PROUD TO BELONG!

You don win their Visa Lottery abi...

Good idea! Deadly insurgences in the Northern part of the country need great handling from a superpower nation like the States. I hope they help to get rid of the Jihadist groups destroying lives in the Maghreb and in the Northern part of West Africa.

It is shame the level the black African race has degenerated to over the past 100 years, bastardized by the Caucasians and the Arab... They blind us with their religion and destroy us gradually. It is a shame on Africa, that we are yet to realise we are nothing but pawns to these guys. Neither the Americans nor the fucking Arab have our interest! And we are just allowing ourselves to be used as pawns! Take a look at the african map, so sad i cry for Black Africa!

okosodo: We need drone strikes in the north

He who mean and wish bad for other will equally see it even more! si ur mouth!!

why the headquarter in Germany?? Not in africa??

Truth is: this counts for little or nothing. Remember Uncle Sam hasn't had a decisive victory since the Gulf war.

Hmmm, I smell fowl play

TechRev: why the headquarter in Germany?? Not in africa??

That is because they'll be easily susceptible to terrorist attack that'll hinder their operations here in Africa. IMO

okosodo: We need drone strikes in the north

sorry no drone is allowed in any part of naija. Prouldly Naija.

''General ROD'', hmmm. I like that name.

hmmmmmmmmm this pple have started again

The way the title of this thread was framed readers would think Nigeria was the main focus of the General's appointment.

Through the digusie of "terroism" the western imperialist have once again played the african continent by forcing Africom down our throats.
"As head of Africa Command, Rodriguez would help oversee counter-terrorism missions in Somalia, Yemen, Mali, Nigeria and elsewhere, as well as training and other efforts designed to bolster US military ties across the region". Our "saviour" Africom to the rescue!!

Bawss1: The way the title of this thread was framed readers would think Nigeria was the main focus of the General's appointment.

Quite right! The body of the story is quite different from the headline!

When will Africans wise up. Imagine you guys are happy with the move made by US. This move have disadvantagies wich have definetly over weight its advantagies however you may think of it. Our leaders sucks.

Different headline, different story.

nonsense headline

one would think before reading the content that the appointment was made by nig govt in abuja

all4naija: Good idea! Deadly insurgences in the Northern part of the country need great handling from a superpower nation like the States. I hope they help to get rid of the Jihadist groups destroying lives in the Maghreb and in the Northern part of West Africa.

How una average Nigeria no dey think sef. You think anybody dey help anybody for this kin world of nawadays. make una allow una weak leaders draw una into stone age with america controlliung una oil and economy. Go ask Pakistan and afgernistan, iraq and co. May una like to become Nigeristan.

Candybob: It is shame the level the black African race has degenerated to over the past 100 years, bastardized by the Caucasians and the Arab... They blind us with their religion and destroy us gradually. It is a shame on Africa, that we are yet to realise we are nothing but pawns to these guys. Neither the Americans nor the fucking Arab have our interest! And we are just allowing ourselves to be used as pawns! Take a look at the african map, so sad i cry for Black Africa!

after suffering colonization for so long and then gaining indepencence, then what is this?
our leaders are d*mb. what happened in libya and afghanistan, they became worse. We need to pray oo against the spirit of error.

okosodo: We need drone strikes in the north

they will be many innocents civilian casualties drone attack. listen to an ex drone operator on this video.http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-19820760

BIG GUNZZZ BIG BOMBZZZZ AMERICAN EMPIRE ON THE MOVE