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.
“But we do have shared security interests, and we must address them together.” He added.
