Caaqil News -- Amid growing concerns over the increasing terrorist activity in West Africa and the complex situation in Somalia, the United States Department of Defense (Pentagon) is reportedly reassessing its military strategy across Africa. This follows an alarming surge in the presence and operations of extremist groups, particularly ISIS (Daesh) and al-Qaeda affiliates, which has transformed parts of the continent into hotbeds of jihadist violence.
According to a report by the U.S. military newspaper Stars and Stripes, senior defense officials in Washington have acknowledged that persistent instability in key regions like the Sahel and the Horn of Africa has prompted a broader evaluation of American involvement in African security affairs.
AFRICOM Chief Sounds Alarm Over Rapid Expansion of Terror Groups
General Michael Langley, the Commander of the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), has expressed grave concerns regarding the unchecked growth of terrorist organizations operating across Africa’s Sahel region. Speaking to journalists recently, Langley emphasized that the security situation has deteriorated significantly over the past three years.
“Terrorist groups have expanded rapidly and with increasing confidence across West Africa,” said Langley. “If left unchallenged, they may soon possess the capability to orchestrate attacks beyond the continent, including on American soil.”
Langley highlighted the operational momentum that groups like ISIS and al-Qaeda have gained in countries such as Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, and Nigeria, turning these states into fertile ground for recruitment, training, and staging of attacks. He cautioned that without an urgent and coordinated international response, the threat could metastasize beyond Africa’s borders.
Marine General Michael Langley: Leading AFRICOM Amid Growing Instability
General Langley, a high-ranking officer in the United States Marine Corps, took command of AFRICOM in 2022. He is the first African American to lead the command, which is responsible for U.S. military operations and partnerships across the African continent.
Under his leadership, AFRICOM has sought to pivot from a purely military engagement model to a more holistic approach that incorporates diplomacy, development, and long-term capacity building. However, as terrorist activities escalate, Langley acknowledges that traditional military strikes alone will not suffice to ensure sustainable peace.
No Immediate Troop Reductions, But Shift Toward African-Led Security
Although Langley did not confirm any plans to reduce the number of U.S. troops stationed in Africa, he underscored the importance of transitioning greater responsibility for security to African nations themselves. This strategic pivot emphasizes local ownership of defense and stability initiatives.
“Our strategy is built on partnership, not dependency,” Langley stated. “We aim to build enduring capacity, not temporary reliance. It’s about investing in African solutions to African problems.”
This perspective aligns with broader U.S. foreign policy trends, which advocate for empowering regional actors to take a leading role in addressing conflict and extremism within their own territories.
Sahel Region Now the ‘Epicenter’ of African Terrorism
General Langley described the Sahel as the current "epicenter" of terrorism on the continent. Years of political instability, military coups, and weak governance have allowed jihadist groups to entrench themselves in vast, ungoverned spaces.
“The terrorist threat in the Sahel is real, and it's growing,” Langley warned. “We are witnessing an unprecedented level of coordination among extremist groups, who are not only targeting local governments but also seeking access to coastal routes that could enable them to expand their operations internationally.”
According to AFRICOM intelligence, terrorist groups are actively attempting to gain access to West Africa’s Atlantic coastline. Controlling strategic ports or smuggling routes would give them logistical advantages to traffic weapons, personnel, and ideologies, increasing the likelihood of launching attacks outside the continent.
Loss of Intelligence Capabilities Raises Additional Risks
One of the major challenges the U.S. faces, Langley said, is the diminishing ability to monitor and track terrorist movements due to the political environment in some countries. The withdrawal of French and American forces from Mali and the growing influence of private military contractors like Russia’s Wagner Group have further complicated efforts to maintain real-time intelligence.
“We are losing the close visibility we once had over the operations of terrorist networks in these regions,” Langley lamented. “And that presents a significant national security risk, not just for Africa, but globally.”
With the erosion of on-ground partnerships and the expulsion of Western military forces from some Sahel countries, AFRICOM’s intelligence-gathering capabilities have been reduced, creating blind spots that extremist groups are exploiting.
Increased U.S. Airstrikes in Somalia During 2025
Turning to Somalia, General Langley acknowledged that AFRICOM has intensified its airstrike campaign in the Horn of Africa during 2025. So far, more than 25 airstrikes have been conducted against the militant group al-Shabaab, which maintains a stronghold in southern and central parts of Somalia.
This is a sharp increase from the number of airstrikes carried out during 2024, reflecting what AFRICOM sees as an urgent need to disrupt al-Shabaab’s leadership, supply chains, and external attack planning capabilities.
However, Langley emphasized that airstrikes alone are insufficient to achieve long-term stability in Somalia or the wider Horn of Africa.
“Victory over extremism cannot be achieved through military force alone,” he said. “We must address the root causes of instability — poverty, lack of education, political exclusion, and economic despair.”
This comprehensive approach echoes previous U.S. strategies that call for integrating counterterrorism with development assistance, governance reforms, and reconciliation initiatives.
Recent High-Level Security Meetings in Kenya
General Langley recently participated in a high-level security summit held in Nairobi, Kenya, where he met with military leaders from across the African continent. The gathering focused on strengthening collaboration among African nations and reviewing current counterterrorism tactics amid rising threats.
The conference highlighted the importance of intelligence-sharing, joint military exercises, and building the capacity of regional forces to take independent action against extremist groups.
Langley used the opportunity to reinforce AFRICOM’s commitment to partnership and to stress that the U.S. is not abandoning the continent but rather reshaping its role to support long-term, African-led solutions.
Pentagon’s Broader Strategic Review: What’s Next for Africa Policy?
The Pentagon’s decision to reassess its Africa strategy reflects a broader shift in American defense thinking. With global attention increasingly drawn toward the Indo-Pacific and renewed great-power competition with China and Russia, Africa risks becoming a secondary priority unless persistent security threats demand sustained engagement.
Analysts say the United States is trying to strike a balance between deterring terrorism and minimizing the costs and risks associated with prolonged military deployments.
The potential policy change also coincides with increasing calls from U.S. lawmakers for more oversight of AFRICOM’s operations, particularly in light of civilian casualties from airstrikes and lack of transparency in certain operations.
Africa’s Path Forward: Security, Sovereignty, and Sustainability
Despite the challenges, Langley remains hopeful that with the right investments in local security forces, institutions, and governance, Africa can overcome the threats posed by extremist violence.
“The goal is not a permanent American military footprint in Africa,” Langley explained. “The goal is to see African nations equipped, confident, and capable of securing their own territories and protecting their people.”
He added that sustainable peace will require more than bullets and bombs — it will require education, infrastructure, inclusive political systems, and economic opportunity.
Conclusion: A Defining Moment for U.S.-Africa Relations
As the Pentagon revisits its military strategy in Africa, the decisions made in the coming months will have profound implications not only for African security but also for global stability. The surge in terrorist activity, especially in regions like the Sahel and Somalia, represents a critical challenge that will test the resilience of both local governments and international partners.
For now, AFRICOM remains a central pillar of U.S. engagement with Africa — but that pillar is being reshaped to align with a new reality: Africa must lead, and the world must support.
