General Michael Langley, Commander of United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), has called on African nations to take a more active role in managing their own security challenges. Speaking during the African Lion 2025 military exercise, Gen. Langley emphasized a strategic shift toward "independent operations" and "burden sharing" among partner nations on the continent.
The annual African Lion exercise brought together military forces from over 40 countries for joint combat training, including advanced drone warfare simulations. However, this year’s iteration marked a noticeable change in tone. Unlike previous years, the focus has moved away from U.S.-led governance and development efforts toward strengthening Africa’s self-reliance in defense operations.
“This is about building the capability and will for independent action,” Gen. Langley said. “The security burden can no longer rest solely on external partners.”
The shift aligns with broader U.S. defense priorities, which increasingly stress homeland security and reduced military engagement overseas. Still, this recalibration comes at a time when extremist violence is surging across parts of the continent. Africa has been described by security analysts as the new global "epicenter" of terrorism, raising concerns about the potential consequences of a diminished U.S. presence.
In countries such as Somalia, despite years of U.S. training and assistance, national forces continue to face difficulties in countering Al-Shabaab and maintaining territorial control. Analysts caution that a premature drawdown of support could lead to further instability, particularly in regions already grappling with insurgencies, weak governance, and fragile institutions.
“The risk is that without sustained international engagement, extremist groups may expand their influence even further,” said one regional security expert.
As AFRICOM continues to evolve its role, the success of this new strategy may depend on the capacity of African nations to quickly build robust, independent military capabilities—and on whether the international community remains ready to offer support when needed.
Story By: Afia Ohenewaa Akyerem