US Military Adjusts Strategy in Africa: Encouraging Allies to Strengthen Self-Reliance

TAN TAN, Morocco — The U.S. military is changing its approach in Africa. Instead of focusing on good governance and addressing the root causes of conflict, the emphasis is now on making local forces more self-reliant. During the “African Lion” exercise, the largest military training event on the continent, General Michael Langley made this clear. He stated the need to prepare partners for independent operations.

“We must share the burden,” Langley said. For four weeks, troops from over 40 nations practiced tackling threats by air, land, and sea. They used drones and simulated intense combat in the desert. While the drills were familiar, the messaging has shifted. The U.S. is now prioritizing capacity-building over its previously emphasized approaches.

Langley noted that a focus on improving allies’ security capabilities aligns with goals from Donald Trump’s Defense Department. “Protecting our homeland is now a priority, and we expect other countries to step up in areas of global instability,” he added, specifically mentioning U.S. support for Sudan.

This shift occurs as the U.S. aims to create a leaner military force in Africa. Meanwhile, China is expanding its own training programs for African militaries, and Russian mercenaries are establishing themselves as key security partners in several African regions.

In the past, U.S. officials highlighted a “whole of government approach” to countering insurgency. Langley had previously argued that military force alone couldn’t stabilize fragile states. Effective governance, he believed, was crucial to combat various threats like desertification and violent extremism. However, this comprehensive strategy seems to be less emphasized now, despite successes in places like Ivory Coast, where combined efforts have reduced extremist attacks.

Yet these successes are not the norm. Langley points to a mix of progress and setbacks in his tenure.

The newly adopted stance comes at a time when many local military forces in Africa still face significant challenges. Insurgent groups like al-Qaida and ISIS are increasing their influence, with both groups expanding their regional affiliates. A senior U.S. defense official recently stated, “We see Africa as a central hub for these organizations.” This is concerning, especially as Africa rarely ranks high on the Pentagon’s list of priorities.

Although the U.S. has invested significant resources in security assistance—around $500 million annually—it still deals with direct competition from Russia and China. Higher levels of violence are now emerging in hotspots across the continent. In 2024, reports show that over half of the world’s terrorism deaths occurred in West Africa’s Sahel region, a vast area controlled by military juntas. Similarly, Somalia accounted for 6% of all global terrorism deaths, making it the most dangerous place for terrorism in Africa outside the Sahel.

Despite increased U.S. airstrikes targeting groups like Al-Shabaab, the ground situation in Somalia remains precarious. Langley acknowledged that the Somali National Army is still working to establish its effectiveness and needs more resources.

In West Africa, experts like Beverly Ochieng emphasize that local forces are still ill-equipped to confront these threats. With Western influence waning, local militaries lack essential tools and support to effectively combat insurgencies. Many do not have strong air capabilities and struggle to monitor militant movements, especially in remote areas with poor infrastructure.

This evolving military strategy raises crucial questions about future security in Africa, as U.S. forces step back while insurgent threats grow. The balance between building local capacity and the need for external support remains delicate.

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General news, Africa, Donald Trump, Military and defense, United States government, Michael Langley, U.S. Department of Defense, United States, Washington news, Beverly Ochieng, World news, Washington News