Latest news with #AFRICOM
Business Insider
3 days ago
- Politics
- Business Insider
China replicating U.S. military model in Africa as American presence declines
A senior U.S. military commander in Africa has issued a warning, cautioning that China is actively seeking to replicate nearly every aspect of U.S. military assistance on the continent, as Washington scales back its direct involvement. China is replicating U.S. military engagement tactics in Africa as the U.S. reduces its involvement. General Langley highlighted China's strategic military ties with African nations, modeling programs on U.S. methods. Global rivals like China and Russia are filling gaps left by reduced U.S. presence, increasing their influence in the region. China has significantly expanded its footprint in countries such as Tanzania, Djibouti, and the Central African Republic, with its military academies now training an increasing number of African officers. General Michael Langley, commander of U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), warned that China's programs are deliberately modeled on established U.S. engagement strategies, which could further disadvantage Washington if it scales back its military presence on the continent, particularly as countries increasingly lean towards Beijing and Moscow " They're trying to replicate what we do best, especially in education and joint training," Langley said. " It's not just competition — it's duplication." He added, highlighting China's swift efforts to win over African militaries through deepened defense ties and alternative partnerships that are increasingly attractive, especially to governments sidelined by U.S. sanctions or aid freezes. ' They even put on joint exercises in Tanzania this fall, styled just like ours. ' He said. Langley however advised African governments to voice their support for AFRICOM's continued presence through diplomatic channels. He said: "If we're important to you, make your voice heard in Washington, ' Recall that General Michael Langley, while addressing military leaders from over 30 nations at the African Chiefs of Defense Conference in Nairobi, stated that the U.S. is shifting its approach from providing extensive military aid to empowering African self-reliance, with the goal of enabling Africa to " do more for itself." ' Our aim is not to serve as a permanent crutch, but to achieve US security objectives that overlap with our partners. We should be able to help African nations build the self-reliance they need to independently confront terrorism and insurgencies,' he said. However, he noted that the State Department, in the process of absorbing USAID, is currently evaluating which aid programs to keep, acknowledging that some programs are "really helpful" to US military stability operations. U.S. rethinks AFRICOM's future Langley's remarks coincided with reports that the U.S. is considering merging AFRICOM into European Command as a cost-cutting measure. Established in 2008 to centralize U.S. military efforts in Africa, AFRICOM has played a pivotal role in counterterrorism operations and partnership-building initiatives. Even as Washington called on African nations to take more responsibility for their own security, global rivals are moving to fill the gap. Langley described the Sahel region as the " epicenter" of global terrorism, noting that: "terrorist networks affiliated with ISIS and al Qaeda are thriving there, particularly in Burkina Faso, where the government no longer controls vast parts of its own territory." The threat also includes Mali and Niger, where a wave of military coups has strained U.S. relations, and groups affiliated with al-Qaeda and ISIS have surged in strength. Some, like Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), have quadrupled in size since 2022. He said 'They could soon have the capacity to attack the U.S. homeland,' 'And if they gain access to the West African coastline, they'll diversify revenue and evolve tactics. ' He added. The recalibration of U.S. engagement is already reshaping alliances. In Niger, the ruling junta ordered U.S. forces to withdraw from a $100 million drone base last year. Although the U.S. still maintains limited intelligence-sharing with the Sahel region, its full-spectrum military support has significantly diminished. Meanwhile, Russia has strengthened its ties with several African juntas, offering security support in exchange for access to minerals and political influence. At the same time, insurgent groups like al-Shabaab in Somalia are capitalizing on aid reductions to portray the West as unreliable. Despite these developments, Langley reassured that the U.S. is not abandoning Africa. Airstrikes, intelligence efforts, and military education programs continue, albeit increasingly framed as support for African-led initiatives rather than permanent interventions ' We're not here to dominate or dictate, ' Langley said.
Business Insider
3 days ago
- Politics
- Business Insider
U.S. Africa Command declares Sahel ‘global terrorism epicenter'
The top U.S. military commander leading AFRICOM in Africa has issued a stark warning about the rapid expansion of terrorist groups in the Sahel region. The Sahel region in Africa has become a critical hotspot for global terrorism, according to U.S. AFRICOM commander General Michael Langley. AFRICOM emphasizes enhanced cooperation with African nations to address these threats through intelligence sharing and capacity building. Terrorist groups such as Al-Qaeda and ISIS-affiliated organizations are significantly expanding in the region, posing severe security challenges. On May 30, Marine Corps General Michael Langley, head of U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), declared the Sahel the 'epicenter of terrorism on the globe.' U.S. Marine Corps General Michael Langley made the disclosure during a digital press briefing at the 2025 African Chiefs of Defense Conference, Africa's premier forum for military leaders to address key security challenges across the continent. He highlighted a worsening security crisis that threatens not only the affected African countries but also poses potential risks to global security, including the United States. General Langley described the Sahel, which includes Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, as a 'flashpoint of prolonged conflict and growing instability.' Terrorist organizations affiliated with Al-Qaeda and ISIS have expanded significantly in recent years. According to Langley, groups such as Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb and Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin have grown substantially since 2022, spreading across multiple areas within the region. The security situation in Burkina Faso is especially alarming. General Langley noted that the Burkinabe government no longer maintains effective control over large parts of its territory, illustrating the depth of the crisis. More troubling still, Langley warned that these terrorist groups are seeking to extend their reach into West Africa's coastal countries, including Ghana, Côte d'Ivoire, and Benin. If they succeed, these groups could increase their revenues through illicit activities such as smuggling, human trafficking, and arms trading. There is also concern that these coastal areas could serve as platforms to launch attacks beyond Africa, potentially threatening U.S. homeland security. ' We are monitoring this closely because they could develop the capacity to threaten the homeland, ' Langley said. AFRICOM lists challenges in Africa The briefing also acknowledged the challenges AFRICOM faces following the U.S. withdrawal of troops from Niger after the military coup in 2023. This withdrawal has limited the U.S. military's ability to track terrorist activity and conduct counterterrorism operations in the region. In response, AFRICOM is shifting its focus toward supporting African nations to assume greater responsibility for their security. This strategy involves enhanced intelligence sharing, leveraging new technologies, and strengthening regional cooperation. General Langley's warning reflects the deteriorating security landscape in the Sahel, where terrorist groups are exploiting weak governance, poverty, and ongoing conflicts to increase their influence. His message serves as a call to action for African countries and their international partners to work together urgently to address these threats. As these groups become stronger and more ambitious, the danger extends beyond Africa's borders, reinforcing the Sahel's emergence as a global terrorism hotspot. Coordinated efforts are crucial to safeguard peace and security not just in Africa but worldwide.
Russia Today
6 days ago
- Business
- Russia Today
US military command could exit Africa
Washington's Africa military command (AFRICOM) has announced plans to reassess its presence on the continent, as countries increasingly rethink defense ties with the West and shift alliances. AFRICOM commander General Michael Langley told reporters in Kenya's capital, Nairobi, on Tuesday, that he had already discussed the matter with several African defense ministers and heads of state. 'I've talked to a number of ministers of defense and a few presidents and told them we were assessing,' Langley said, according to Reuters. 'That's what I tell them… if we're that important to [you], you need to communicate that and we'll see,' he added. The move follows reports in the US media that President Donald Trump's administration is considering merging AFRICOM with Washington's European Command in Stuttgart, Germany, citing potential efficiencies. AFRICOM was established in 2008, ostensibly to consolidate US military efforts on the continent and offer a response to growing security concerns, including Islamist insurgencies. However, its influence has declined in parts of Africa. Washington had previously insisted on finding a way to maintain its military presence in the region despite being ordered to remove its forces from significant areas, including key Sahel states – Niger and Chad. Last September, the Pentagon completed the withdrawal of assets and approximately 1,000 troops from a $100 million base in Niger, following a request by the West African country's government, whose military leadership cited the contingent's failure to curb jihadist militants in the Sahel. The US Department of Defense also withdrew around 70 personnel from an air base near N'Djamena, the capital of Chad – America's only military site in the country – after receiving a similar request from Chadian authorities. Despite recent setbacks, Reuters quoted Langley as saying that the US continues to maintain some intelligence-sharing arrangements with military regimes in the Sahel and is exploring 'other ways to continue to stay engaged.' France has also been forced to withdraw from Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali, as the governments in those countries pursue alternative alliances, including closer ties with Russia.
Russia Today
6 days ago
- General
- Russia Today
US reviewing future of military command in Africa
Washington's Africa military command (AFRICOM) has announced plans to reassess its presence on the continent, as countries increasingly rethink defense ties with the West and shift alliances. AFRICOM commander General Michael Langley told reporters in Kenya's capital, Nairobi, on Tuesday, that he had already discussed the matter with several African defense ministers and heads of state. 'I've talked to a number of ministers of defense and a few presidents and told them we were assessing,' Langley said, according to Reuters. 'That's what I tell them… if we're that important to [you], you need to communicate that and we'll see,' he added. The move follows reports in the US media that President Donald Trump's administration is considering merging AFRICOM with Washington's European Command in Stuttgart, Germany, citing potential efficiencies. AFRICOM was established in 2008, ostensibly to consolidate US military efforts on the continent and offer a response to growing security concerns, including Islamist insurgencies. However, its influence has declined in parts of Africa. Washington had previously insisted on finding a way to maintain its military presence in the region despite being ordered to remove its forces from significant areas, including key Sahel states – Niger and Chad. Last September, the Pentagon completed the withdrawal of assets and approximately 1,000 troops from a $100 million base in Niger, following a request by the West African country's government, whose military leadership cited the contingent's failure to curb jihadist militants in the Sahel. The US Department of Defense also withdrew around 70 personnel from an air base near N'Djamena, the capital of Chad – America's only military site in the country – after receiving a similar request from Chadian authorities. Despite recent setbacks, Reuters quoted Langley as saying that the US continues to maintain some intelligence-sharing arrangements with military regimes in the Sahel and is exploring 'other ways to continue to stay engaged.' France has also been forced to withdraw from Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali, as the governments in those countries pursue alternative alliances, including closer ties with Russia.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
US conducts airstrike against Al Qaeda-linked militants in Somalia
U.S. forces conducted an airstrike against the al Qaeda-linked al-Shabab over the weekend in Somalia. The airstrike by U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) targeted an area nearly 40 miles northwest of Kismayo, Somalia, where al-Shabab was reportedly located. According to a press release from AFRICOM, al-Shabab "has proven both its will and capability to attack U.S. forces." "AFRICOM, alongside the Federal Government of Somalia and Somali Armed Forces, continues to take action to degrade al-Shabab's ability to plan and conduct attacks that threaten the U.S. homeland, our forces, and our citizens abroad," the press release read. Trump Takes Swipe At Biden, Says Us Will Support Somalia Against Houthis No further details about units and assets were released to ensure continued security of operations. Read On The Fox News App The East African country of Somalia has been wracked for decades by attacks and insurgency from Islamist terrorists, both from ISIS and al-Shabab. U.S. Africa Command reported in April that it had carried out four airstrikes: three against ISIS terrorists and one against al-Shabab. At least one of these strikes, the command stated, was against multiple targets. Trump Says He Ordered Airstrikes On Isis Leaders In Somalia For years, the U.S. has helped Somali forces with airstrikes and other support against the al-Shabab extremist group. Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, in March, drafted a letter to Trump offering the U.S. exclusive access to air bases and seaports, which reignited tensions between the government of Somalia and the breakaway region of Somaliland, the Associated Press reported. Isis Increasingly Unopposed Following Us Withdrawal From Afghanistan, Collapse Of Syria In the letter, Somalia offered "exclusive operational control" over the Berbera and Baledogle air bases and the ports of Berbera and Bosaso to "bolster American engagement in the region." One of the ports, Berbera, is in a key city located in Somaliland, whose long assertion as an independent state has not received international recognition. Somaliland, a former British protectorate, declared independence from Somalia in 1991 after the collapse of the central government. It maintains its own government, security forces and currency and has held elections. Fox News Digital's Paul Tilsley and The Associated Press contributed to this article source: US conducts airstrike against Al Qaeda-linked militants in Somalia
