WASHINGTON, July 23 (UPI) -- Several recent reports have raised concerns over the balance between military and civilian roles at U.S. Africa Command, highlighting fears about a potential militarization of American aid to the continent.

A Refugees International report suggests the Pentagon could overstep its authority with AFRICOM, while the Center for American Progress argued U.S. national security strategy should reject the trend toward militarizing foreign policy.

Critics of AFRICOM say the U.S. military should remain focused on training African security forces and peacekeeping operations, leaving the larger humanitarian role to the U.S. State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development in concert with the United Nations and international aid organizations.

AFRICOM was announced in 2006 by U.S. President George W. Bush and top military commanders in an effort to address Africa's growing importance as a region of strategic interest in the global war on terror.

Previously, operational responsibility on the African continent was divided between U.S. Central Command, U.S. Pacific Command and U.S. European Command. Egypt and Yemen remain part of the U.S. Central Command's so-called Area of Responsibility.