Maybe the Navy does want to conquer Africa?

Perhaps I'm reading too much into the comments of

Secretary of the Navy Gordon R. England at the National Press Club

With the help of Marine General Jim Jones, the Supreme
Allied Commander in NATO, we are looking to enhance our
operations in the ungoverned regions of Africa. The Gulf of
Guinea, for example, is an area where a Navy presence would
constitute a strong message. Security, stability, and
reconstruction operations are needed in this important region,
and the U.S., along with our NATO allies, will be there to help.

But it does sound a lot like what Easterblogg of The New Republic had to say.