The Commander of United States Africa Command, Gen Michael Langley, has raised the alarm over growing efforts by extremist groups and terrorists in the Sahel to gain access to West Africa’s coastline.
Describing recent attacks in Nigeria, the wider Sahel, and the Lake Chad Basin as deeply troubling, Langley warned that terrorist access to the coast would significantly boost their capacity for smuggling and arms trafficking.
The Sahel countries of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger is widely regarded as the epicentre of terrorist activity, with insurgent networks linked to ISIS and Al-Qaeda particularly entrenched in Burkina Faso.
According to the 2025 Global Terrorism Index, published by the Institute for Economics and Peace, the Sahel accounted for 19 per cent of all terrorist attacks worldwide and 51 per cent of global terrorism-related deaths in 2024, up from 48 per cent in 2023.
Five of the 10 countries most affected by terrorism are in the Sahel.
Langley, who spoke during a press conference at the weekend, said the US was increasingly concerned that a coastal incursion would not only endanger African nations but also raise the threat level to American interests.
“Attacks are resurging in the Lake Chad region as well, and extremist groups are growing more aggressive. The recent attacks in Nigeria and across the Sahel are deeply concerning.
“The scale and brutality of some of these incidents are troubling. So we’re monitoring this closely.
“One of the terrorists’ new objectives is gaining access to West African coasts. If they secure access to the coastline, they can finance their operations through smuggling, human trafficking, and arms trading.
“This puts not just African nations at risk, but also increases the chance of threats reaching the US shores,” Langley stated.
He stated this while addressing journalists at the African Chiefs of Defence Conference held in Nairobi, Kenya, from May 28 to 29, 2025.
The event brought together senior military leaders from 37 African nations alongside US defence officials.
Langley urged frontline coastal states such as Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, and Benin to hold firm along their northern borders to prevent terrorist infiltration.
He noted that the US stood in support of its coastal partners, saying, “That’s why our coastal partners – Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, and Benin – are fighting fiercely along their northern borders to prevent terrorist expansion, and US AFRICOM is standing with them.”
Langley acknowledged that the partial withdrawal of US forces from parts of Africa had constrained America’s ability to monitor and respond to terrorist activity as closely as before.
He, however, emphasised US’ continued commitment to counterterrorism partnerships, while respecting national sovereignty.
“We respect nation sovereignty and only go where we’re asked as long as it aligns with U.S. national security objectives,” he said.
Langley recalled his visit to Nigeria in November 2024, noting that it provided a firsthand view of how the US supported Nigerian defence efforts.
“During my visit, I sat with Nigerian defence leaders to understand how we can help. The US acts with its partners—and in Nigeria’s case, we work together to combat Boko Haram and ISIS West Africa in pursuit of regional security,” he said.
“We are committed to supporting one of the most capable militaries in the region—Nigeria’s. Although our withdrawal has reduced our ability to monitor some developments directly, we maintain strong liaison and provide support where possible,” he added.
Langley also spoke on US efforts to foster dialogue with Burkina Faso, despite strained ties.
“The US seeks opportunities to collaborate with Burkina Faso on counterterrorism challenges. I invited Burkina Faso’s chief of defence to the African Chiefs of Defence Conference because I believe in maintaining that dialogue. So it’s still open,” he said.
On East Africa, he noted that AFRICOM had stepped up operations in Somalia.
“At the request of the Somali government, we’ve conducted over 25 airstrikes this year alone—twice as many as last year—targeting jihadist groups,” Langley revealed.
Despite the challenges, Langley expressed satisfaction that African militaries were confronting their security issues without waiting for external intervention.
“African militaries are not waiting to be saved. African militaries are taking on security challenges head-on, and leverage opportunities for their nations to achieve stability and prosperity.
“So right now, as I speak to you, they continue to step up and take control of their futures,” he said.
He stressed that AFRICOM’s focus is on long-term partnership, not dependence.
“Our goal is to deepen partnerships that empower African nations to solve African problems—not with handouts, but through trusted collaboration,” Langley said.
“A safe, stable, and prosperous Africa is not a charitable goal. It’s a strategic necessity for the United States and our African partners,” he added.
Langley said that across the continent, joint military exercises were now geared toward building independence, interoperability, and crisis response capacity among African forces.
He said AFRICOM remained committed to helping African militaries with advanced training and intelligence sharing while urging stronger engagement with local communities.
“We are not just helping build military capacity; we’re helping create the stability that underpins African and American prosperity alike.
“AFRICOM is increasingly focused on helping our partners address the root causes of terrorism—instability at the local level—through intelligence sharing, capacity building, and institutional strengthening,” he said.
He summed up AFRICOM’s mission in three words: peace through strength.
“AFRICOM aims to support African nations in building the self-reliance needed to confront terrorism and insurgency by assisting in building strong, capable military and security forces.
“Our partnership is summed up in three words: peace through strength. Strong partnerships are the best representation of that thought because we’re always stronger when we stand together,” Langley said.
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