The National Security Council has several functions in the foreign policy formulation process. NSC is responsible for coordinating interagency policy efforts to assure coherent policy proposals and implementation; for generating policy proposals of its own; and for coordinating policy research projects. NSC also makes sure that proposals mesh with existing U.S. policy. In discharging its responsibilities the NSC staff works closely with officials of the Department of State and other government agencies. Two NSC staff members are concerned with Africa. One covers all countries in sub-Saharan Africa and the other is responsible for the Horn of Africa. These two staff members work closely together on policy questions concerning Somalia, Ethiopia, and Sudan.