THE SPECIAL OPERATIONS WORLD OF SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA

THREAD: PART 1

This is an effort to write the story of a not-so-seemingly unpopular topic in this part of Africa. Post World War 2 there has been an awakening on how wars are fought. Probably because of the so many 1/

..world governing rules we set for ourselves. An overt coventional hostility between two nations comes with consequences. So many have chosen the smaller clandestine path of covert campaigns. Fighting a war en mass the conventional way has been overshadowed 2/

Photo - NNSBS

Fighting units are becoming smaller, more tactical, agile, précise.

Spécial Ops in Africa have been around for close to 40 years. Dating back to as early as the 70s. Some countries in Sub-Saharan Africa took the initiative of investing...3/

Pic: KDF 20th Airborne SpOps Group.

..in Special Ops development back then. Of late, others have found themselves pulled into the practice by peer pressure, perhaps . Some have grown to some great tactical levels - both professionally and operational-wise. Others are still trying to figure...4/

Pic: Ghana AF QRF

..out the basics - from funding and training, to areas of application.

I have taken some time to do some digging on the state of the Special Ops development of some countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. And I hope it draws a perfect portrait of the... 5/

Pic: SANDF 5th SpOps Reg.

presumably current situation. I have seen and experienced first hand the capabilities and wide applications of Special Operations. And I have come to stand in awe of the smallest of details. And that is why I'm always championing for their ...6/

Pic: Sénégal SpOps member.

..développement, particularly in Africa.

Special Operations has taken a deeper understanding in the three regional economic centre-stages of Sub-Saharan Africa. The SANDF, The Kenyan Military (KDF), and..7/

1st pic: Kenya DF 30th SpOps Group. 2nd pic: SANDF 4th SpOps Group.

..the Nigerian Military (NAF).

In these countries; Special Ops establishments have seen accelerated development in the last 2 decades. Good funding. World class training. Real life operations and experiences. Some honorable accomplishments - 8/

Pic: Nig Airforce SpOps member.

..some classified others from open sources. Robust growth in numbers and related equipment. It has been quite the ride for the Special Ops establishments of these 3 countries.

Special Ops development in a majority of other Sub-Saharan African countries..9/

Pic: Gh Army Sp Unit.

is yet to achieve notable growth in almost all areas, as compared to the 3 aforementioned nations. Some because of a relative lack of applicable areas except for the security details of the ruling political elites, others because of varying military..10/

Pic: UPDF SpOps member.

.doctrines and related service definitions.

Some of these 'Special Ops' establishments exist purely from a basic point of view. A tactical training slightly robust than the average military academy basic training. Some bit of Ranger school. Para School...11/

Pic: KDF 40th RSF.

..RECON. COIN. CQC. SERE. And MÉDIÉVAC. Everything in the formal set up. Some improved tactical and communication gear is a Special Ops defining gesture in our world.

A majority of these countries with basic Special Ops establishments participate...12/

Pic: Botswana Army SpOps.

..in thé annual AFRICOM-led Exercise Flintlock. All West African countries apparently. A keen observer can draw some generalised observations from what most countries have to offer in that particular exercise. Mostly elementary.

https://www.africom.mil/what-we-do/exercises/flintlock

Some countries like Ghana, Cameroon, Botswana, Uganda, Angola, Mali, et cetera, have some impressive elementary 'Special Ops' formations. With superb tactics and plausible manouvers. Well-kitted Infantry force-multipliers. A majority have seen..14/

Pic: Cameroon Army SpOps

..action mostly from home-grown skirmishes. Some political others secessionist extremism or anti-regime narcissists. Some have had impressive campaigns. Others not so lucky.

Majority of their 'Special Units' are bred from their militaries' respective..15/

Pic: Gh Army Sp Unit

Armies. Apparently it is cheaper in terms of resources and equipment, to raise a Special Unit within a military's Army in Africa. Building a Naval or an Air Force Special Unit comes with its limitations due to the unavailability of mission-specific 16/

Pic: SANDF 4th SpOps Group

equipments in most Sub-Saharan African Navies and Air forces. Although some like the Ghanaian military have managed to build an average tactical Unit in its Navy. But it remains just elementary. It can never come anywhere close to the doctrinal definitions..17/

Pic: Gh Navy SBS

..of the US Navy SEALs or the British Navy SBS or the Nigerian Navy SBS.

In my next part; I'll talk about the individual Special Ops establishments of the three regional militaries of the South African Military, the Kenyan Military and the Nigerian Military..18/

Pic: NN SBS

Their training, operations, and perhaps a glimpse of what the future looks like for them.

And I probably need a blog! Views, comments and support are welcome! 19/19

Pic: Kenya Defence Forces 30th Special Operations Group.