AIDS Imperiling African Armies, Key to Stability of Many Nations

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2002. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

AIDS Imperiling African Armies, Key to Stability of Many Nations

New York Times (11.24.02) - Monday, November 25, 2002
Henri E. Cauvin

For better or worse, no institution is more central to the stability of African nations than the military, and few institutions in Africa are more threatened by AIDS. At Angola's military base in the capital city of Luanda, AIDS is the leading cause of death, and after the long civil war, the situation will almost certainly worsen.

Africa is figuring in American foreign policy, in terms of economic and military strategy, more than at any time since the end of the cold war. The United States is importing oil from West Africa, to reduce its reliance on the volatile Middle East, and is establishing an antiterrorist center in Djibouti.

AIDS in the military will undermine such efforts, and that helps explain why the Pentagon is spending several million dollars this year to help Angola and 20 other African countries begin dealing with the crisis.

Soldiers, infected on missions in foreign capitals like Kinshasa and Brazzaville, carry HIV to their home villages, passing it to their wives and girlfriends. Prostitutes and truckers spread the virus as they ply their trade in areas that, during Angola's nearly 30-year-long civil war, had long been inaccessible.

An estimated 5.5 percent of Angola's adults are HIV- infected. In Nigeria, at least 6 percent are infected, with the spread fueled by many factors, including its military's emerging role as regional peacemaker. In Ethiopia, where at least 10 percent of adults have HIV, the number of infected persons has been climbing, driven in part by the demobilization of thousands of soldiers. In South Africa, roughly one in four soldiers are infected.

Like other countries, Angola does not know how many soldiers are infected. It is planning a survey with the help of Dr. Eric Bing, a US Defense Department civilian coordinator. Experts say the survey likely will show HIV prevalence higher than 5.5 percent, and likely to increase. This is the military's new war, symbolized by a soldier depicted on a military class manual: his old weapon - a gun - in one hand, his new weapon - a condom - in the other.
021125
AD022283

Copyright © 2002 - Information, Inc., Bethesda, MD. The CDC National Center for HIV, STD and TB Prevention provides the following information as a public service only. Providing synopses of key scientific articles and lay media reports on HIV/AIDS, other sexually transmitted diseases and tuberculosis does not constitute CDC endorsement. This daily update also includes information from CDC and other government agencies, such as background on Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) articles, fact sheets, press releases and announcements. Reproduction of this text is encouraged; however, copies may not be sold, and the CDC HIV/STD/TB Prevention News Update should be cited as the source of the information. Contact the sources of the articles abstracted below for full texts of the articles.

AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Boehringer Ingelheim, Bridgestone/Firestone Charitable Trust, Elton John AIDS Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, AIDS Walk of Orange County, and donations from users like you.

Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2002. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.

AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.

Copyright ©1980, 2002. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content.