Latest news with #U.S.AfricaCommand
Business Insider
4 hours 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.
Yahoo
a day ago
- General
- Yahoo
Africa terror group could soon strike inside the US, general says
The U.S. military's top general in Africa said terrorist factions in the Sahel region have increased their presence so much in the past three years that they soon may be able to launch attacks within the United States. The region, which mainly includes Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, is 'the flash point of prolonged conflict and growing instability,' U.S. Africa Command head Gen. Michael Langley told reporters Thursday. 'It is the epicenter of terrorism on the globe.' 'Extremist groups are gaining ground and also expanding their ambitions. Therein lies the threat to the homeland,' he added on the sidelines of the African Chiefs of Defense Conference in Nairobi, Kenya. Sahel countries have long struggled to combat violent extremist groups, with some facing greater instability after falling to military coups, U.S. officials have warned. The military juntas in power have forced out American and French troops, including in September 2024, when the U.S. completed a withdrawal from its bases in Niger after the military seized power in 2023. At the time, defense leaders predicted the pullout would endanger counterterrorism efforts in an important regional foothold. Langley reiterated those concerns, saying that 'we have lost our ability to monitor these terrorist groups closely.' He said terrorist networks affiliated with ISIS and al Qaeda thrive in the region, particularly in Burkina Faso — where the government no longer controls large swaths of its own territory — as well as Lake Chad, located at the junction of Nigeria, Niger, Chad, and Cameroon in Western and Central Africa. Langley said one group that is of particular concern is Jama'at Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin, or JNIM, which has expanded 'fourfold' since 2022 and now controls much of Burkina Faso. He said one of the militants' key goals is gaining access to the West African coast. Should they control the coastline, they can finance their operations through smuggling, human trafficking and arms trade, 'more easily supporting terrorism to American shores.' Langley's warnings come as the Trump administration has canceled aid programs across Africa and is mulling consolidating its forces on the continent. China and Russia have moved to fill the void left by departing U.S. troops, investing and forming partnerships with local governments to exert influence. Langley would not say if the U.S would further cut its force levels in Africa but stressed that African militaries will need to bear more of the security burden. 'Our strategy is about partnership. It's about the mutual goal of keeping homelands, both ours and our partners', safe,' he said. 'It's about building a long-term capacity, not dependence. It's about investing in Africa's ability to solve African problems.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Hill
a day ago
- Politics
- The Hill
Africa terror group could soon strike inside the US, general says
The U.S. military's top general in Africa said terrorist factions in the Sahel region have increased their presence so much in the past three years that they soon may be able to launch attacks within the United States. The region, which mainly includes Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, is 'the flashpoint of prolonged conflict and growing instability,' U.S. Africa Command head Gen. Michael Langley told reporters Thursday. 'It is the epicenter of terrorism on the globe.' 'Extremist groups are gaining ground and also expanding their ambitions. Therein lies the threat to the homeland,' he added on the sidelines of the African Chiefs of Defense Conference in Nairobi, Kenya. Sahel countries have long struggled to combat violent extremist groups, with some facing greater instability after falling to military coups, U.S. officials have warned. The military juntas in power have forced out American and French troops, including in September 2024, when the U.S. completed a withdrawal from its bases in Niger after the military seized power in 2023. At the time, defense leaders predicted the pullout would endanger counterterrorism efforts in an important regional foothold. Langley reiterated those concerns, saying that 'we have lost our ability to monitor these terrorist groups closely.' He said terrorist networks affiliated with the Islamic State and al-Qaeda thrive in the region, particularly in Burkina Faso — where the government no longer controls large swaths of its own territory — as well as Lake Chad, located at the junction of Nigeria, Niger, Chad, and Cameroon in western and central Africa. Langley said that one group that is of particular concern is Jama'at Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin, or JNIM, which has expanded 'fourfold' since 2022 and now controls much of Burkina Faso. He said one of the militants' key goals is gaining access to the West African coast. Should they control the coastline, they can finance their operations through smuggling, human trafficking and arms trade, 'more easily supporting terrorism to American shores.' Langley's warnings come as the Trump administration has canceled aid programs across Africa and is mulling consolidating its forces on the continent. China and Russia have moved to fill the void left by departing U.S. troops, investing and forming partnerships with local governments to exert influence. Langley would not say if the U.S would further cut its force levels in Africa but stressed that African militaries will need to bear more of the security burden. 'Our strategy is about partnership. It's about the mutual goal of keeping homelands, both ours and our partners, safe,' he said. 'It's about building a long-term capacity, not dependence. It's about investing in Africa's ability to solve African problems.'
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
US Africa commander highlights terror growth in Sahel and competition with China for influence
A top United States military general warned Thursday that terror groups in Africa are ramping up their ability to conduct attacks in the U.S. Gen. Michael Langley, the four-star Marine General who leads U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), said the Sahel region of the continent is now the "flashpoint of prolonged conflict and growing instability. It is the epicenter of terrorism on the globe." Several terror groups have expanded drastically in the last three years. Al-Qaeda in the Lands of the Islamic Maghreb, or AQIM, is three times the size it was in 2022, he said, and has spread across Mali, Burkina Faso, and parts of Niger, which the U.S. military pulled out of last year. Isis Increasingly Unopposed Following Us Withdrawal From Afghanistan, Collapse Of Syria Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal-Muslimin, a faction affiliated with Al-Qaeda, is now four times the size it was in 2022, expanding mainly in Burkina Faso. "We're keeping a good eye on this because they could have the capacity to attack the homeland," Langley said in a call with reporters. Read On The Fox News App "Throughout my travels across West Africa and through dialog here at the conference, the concerns shared by my peers match my own," he added. "One of the terrorist's key goals now is access to the west coast of Africa. If they gain access to the vast coastline, they can diversify their revenue streams and evolve their tactics, more easily exporting terrorism to American shores." Lone Wolf Attacks Surge In The West As Terrorism Intensifies Globally He noted that the terror groups engage in illicit activity like smuggling, human trafficking and arms trading, which fund their nefarious actions and destabilize the region. U.S. forces over the weekend conducted an airstrike against the al Qaeda-linked al-Shabab in Somalia. The East African country has been wracked for decades by attacks and insurgency from Islamist terrorists, both from ISIS and al-Shabab. The U.S. is in a race with China and Russia to gain influence and trust with the local governments of several African nations to help protect citizens from terror groups. Langley said there is an increasing concern about the number of African soldiers going to Beijing for military training and replicating a U.S. International Military Education and Training (IMET) program. "They're trying to replicate what we do best in our IMET program," said Langley. "And then they also said they're going to increase security and training in a number of countries. So, they're trying to replicate what we do."Original article source: US Africa commander highlights terror growth in Sahel and competition with China for influence
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Africa terror group ramping up ability to strike inside the US, general says
The Sahel region in Africa is now the 'epicenter of terrorism on the globe,' a four-star Marine Corps general warned Thursday, with terror factions there having increased their presence dramatically in the past three years and ramping up their ability to launch attacks inside the U.S. The dire warning by Gen. Michael Langley, head of U.S. Africa Command, comes as the Trump administration cancels aid programs across the continent and considers consolidating military leadership in Africa with one already overseeing troops in Europe. 'It is the flashpoint of prolonged conflict and growing instability. It is the epicenter of terrorism on the globe,' Langley said of Sahel region in Africa, namely Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger. MORE: US orders airstrikes against ISIS targets in Somalia Of particular concern is one faction aligned with al-Qaeda known as 'JNIM,' which has expanded 'fourfold' since 2022 and now controls much of Burkina Faso, he said. 'We're keeping a good eye on this, because they could have the capacity to attack the homeland,' he said of the group. U.S. officials have long warned about the growing influence of powerful terror groups operating out of north, west and central Africa, particularly as China and Russia invest heavily there and are forging alliances with local governments to gain influence. Last year, the U.S. shuttered a military base in Niger that was considered a crucial hub for American counterterrorism operations after the governing militia there asked the U.S. to leave and welcomed Russian troops instead. 'Extremist groups are gaining ground and also expanding their ambitions. Therein lies the threat to the homeland as they gain in capability and capacity,' he said. Africa terror group ramping up ability to strike inside the US, general says originally appeared on
