JOHANNESBURG – The United States military says the head of SpecialOperations Command Africa has suspended a regional commander and anenlisted adviser over alleged sexual assault and sexual harassment.
Both senior leaders have been sent back to the United States while theallegations are investigated, according to reports in American media.
“Special Operations Command Africa commander Maj. Gen. Mark Hicks suspendedthe Special Operations Command Forward – East Africa commander and seniorenlisted adviser of their duties on May 10 due to allegations ofmisconduct,” Maj. Casey Osborne, a spokesman for Special Operations CommandAfrica, told the ABC News on Saturday.
One of the team leaders is being investigated for the alleged inappropriatetouching of a female service member during the deployment, it reported.
The US has about 1,000 special operations personnel in Africa. Those inEast Africa largely assist in countering the Somalia-based al-Shababextremist group.
While “pulled from deployment” both senior leaders have not been relievedof their duties as the commanding officer and command master chief of theirSEAL Team. While stateside they will remain in those positions as theallegations are investigated by the Navy’s Criminal Investigative Service.
This comes as Special Operations Forces in Africa have come underincreasing scrutiny following allegations that civilian casualties had beencaused during a May 9 “Somali-led operation to disrupt and degradeal-Shabaab’s terrorist network near Bulcida, Somalia.”