Press Releases
AFRICOM's Deputies Visit to Burkina Faso Ouagadougou, November 23, 2007 Deputy Commander of U.S. Africa Command for Military Operations Vice Admiral Robert Moeller and Deputy Commander of U.S. Africa Command for Civil-Military Activities Ambassador Mary Yates will visit Burkina Faso on November 26-27 as part of a pan-African trip to brief regional organizations about the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM). During their visit, Admiral Moeller and Ambassador Yates will meet with President Blaise Compaore, in his capacity as ECOWAS chairman, to explain their overall mission as it relates to ECOWAS. They will also take the opportunity to meet with Minister of Defense Yero Boly and Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces General Ali Traore. During these meetings, the Vice Admiral and Ambassador will thank Burkina Faso for its work in regional peace and security, particularly the work that President Compaore has done relating to conflicts in Togo and Cote D’Ivoire. After their visit to Burkina, Admiral Moeller and Ambassador Yates will visit ECOWAS headquarters in Nigeria and the U.S. Combined Joint Task Force for Africa in Djibouti. United States Africa Command was established on October 1, 2007 as a sub-unified command, subordinate to U.S. European Command. The decision to create a Combatant Command for Africa marks the beginning of a new era where African security issues can be addressed from an Africa-centric perspective. U.S. combatant commands throughout the world have, among their key functions, the promotion of regional security. The establishment of U.S. Africa Command recognizes that addressing Africa’s challenges requires new thinking and concerted efforts. Ambassador Mary Yates, a senior U.S. diplomat, is Deputy Commander for Civil-Military Activities of United States Africa Command. In this capacity, Ambassador Yates directs the command’s plans and programs associated with health, humanitarian assistance, humanitarian mine action, disaster response, and security sector reform. From 2005 through 2007, Ambassador Yates served as Foreign Policy Advisor to the United States European Command. Ambassador Yates began her diplomatic career in 1980 and has served as U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Ghana and U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Burundi. She also served as a Foreign Service Officer in Kinshasa, Zaire (Congo) and in Paris. Ambassador Yates speaks French. Vice Admiral Robert T. Moeller is Deputy Commander for Military Operations of United States Africa Command. Vice Admiral Moeller began serving in his current position in October 2007. Trained as a Surface Warfare Officer, Vice Admiral Moeller has served in a variety of sea and shore assignments, including joint duty. He earned a master's degree in National Security Studies from the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University. Vice Admiral Moeller is a New Jersey native, the son of a World War II Navy veteran, and received his commission in the Navy after graduating from the University of Notre Dame in 1974. Any questions or comments concerning this visit may be directed to the U.S. Embassy Public Affairs Section. Ouagadougou, November 23, 2007