"USAFRICOM's mercenaries: Phase Zero formula"

""Many Africans "rightly have long memories of colonialism on their continent, which was so brutal in the way it was applied," Downie says. "[They are] very, very sensitive to anything that smacks of neo-colonialism." And African governments weren't the only ones concerned about the endeavor. State Department officials complained that the new AFRICOM would militarize foreign policy in Africa, while aid groups worried their work would be confused with U.S. military activities." "To do that, the military is employing what it calls "Phase Zero," which means training and equipping African militaries before a crisis begins."" (thanks Amir)