US military changes tone in Africa, urging allies to take greater responsibility for their own defense

The U.S. military is moving away from its usual focus on promoting good governance and addressing the root causes of insurgencies. Instead, it is now urging its fragile allies in Africa to be more self-reliant.

This shift was clear during African Lion, the largest joint training exercise the U.S. conducts on the continent. “We need to be able to get our partners to the level of independent operations,” said Gen. Michael Langley in an interview with The Associated Press.

“There needs to be some burden sharing,” said Langley, the top U.S. military official in Africa, speaking on the final day of the exercise.

For four weeks, troops from over 40 countries practiced how to face threats on land, at sea, and in the air. They used drones, trained for close combat, and launched satellite-guided rockets in the desert.

While the drills were similar to previous years — African Lion is now in its 25th year — the message has changed. The U.S. is no longer stressing its past approach, which focused on blending defense, diplomacy, and development, and which once set it apart from countries like Russia and China.

Now, the message is about helping allies build the skills needed to take charge of their own security. Langley said this has been a priority for President Donald Trump’s Defense Department.

“We have our set priorities now — protecting the homeland. And we’re also looking for other countries to contribute to some of these global instability areas,” he said, referring to U.S. involvement in Sudan.

This change in strategy comes as the U.S. looks to “build a leaner, more lethal force.” This could involve reducing its military leadership in regions like Africa, where other global powers are strengthening their presence.

China has begun large-scale training programs for African militaries. Russian mercenaries are becoming more active and are securing their role as top security partners across North, West, and Central Africa.

Last year, Langley supported the idea that U.S. efforts in Africa should involve more than just military force. He promoted a “whole of government approach,” saying good governance helps address threats such as drought, failed crops, and terrorism.

“I’ve always professed that AFRICOM is not just a military organization,” Langley said in that earlier interview. He described good governance as a lasting solution to many problems, including environmental issues and violence.

But that approach has now been pushed aside. Langley said combined efforts still work in some places, such as Ivory Coast, where development and defense efforts have helped reduce attacks near its northern border.

However, such successes are rare.

“I’ve seen progression and I’ve seen regression,” said Langley, who is expected to leave his role later this year.

As the U.S. reduces involvement, insurgents grow stronger

Even though many African armies are still underprepared, insurgent groups are growing stronger, and the U.S. is adjusting its role.

“Africa is the epicenter for both al-Qaida and Islamic State,” said a senior U.S. defense official earlier this month. The official, who spoke anonymously, said both groups have expanded in the region, and Islamic State has shifted its leadership to Africa.

While Africa is not a top U.S. military priority, the U.S. has still spent hundreds of millions of dollars on security aid and keeps about 6,500 military personnel under Africa Command. In many areas, the U.S. competes directly with China and Russia. In other parts, threats from terrorist groups still require direct military involvement, according to Langley.

The move away from a “whole of government” message toward shared responsibility comes as concerns grow about increasing violence spreading beyond areas already hit by insurgents.

Parts of East and West Africa have become major centers of violence. In 2024, more than half of global terrorism deaths occurred in West Africa’s Sahel region, a vast desert area now ruled by military governments. This data comes from the Institute for Economics and Peace.

The group also found that Somalia was responsible for 6% of global terrorism deaths, making it Africa’s deadliest country outside the Sahel.

Since Trump became president, the U.S. military has increased airstrikes in Somalia, targeting IS and al-Shabab fighters. But despite this support, Somalia’s army is still far from being able to keep the country secure, Langley said.

“The Somali National Army is trying to find their way,” he said. He noted they’ve made some progress after years of challenges. “There are some things they still need on the battlefield to be very effective.”

In West Africa, local forces still don’t have the tools to fight growing threats, according to Beverly Ochieng, a security analyst at Control Risks. Even before Western countries started to step back, military support was already limited, and threats remained active.

Foreign powers with troops in the Sahel have been reducing their roles, either by choice or because of pressure from local governments that have become more hostile.

“Many of them do not have very strong air forces and are not able to monitor the movement of militants, especially in areas where roads are very difficult to traverse, the infrastructure is extremely poor,” said Ochieng, who studies the Sahel and how powerful nations are competing in Africa.