The United States has raised concerns over growing efforts by terrorist groups in the Sahel to expand their reach into Nigeria and coastal West African nations, warning of dire regional and international security implications.
Commander of the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), General Michael Langley, sounded the alarm during the African Chiefs of Defence Conference held in Nairobi, Kenya, from May 28–29, where senior military leaders from 37 African countries and US officials convened.
Langley described recent attacks in Nigeria and across the Sahel and Lake Chad Basin as deeply troubling, noting that a coastal incursion by extremists could bolster their capacity for smuggling, arms trafficking, and terrorism financing.
“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,” he warned.
Highlighting data from the 2025 Global Terrorism Index, Langley said the Sahel region — particularly Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger — accounted for 19% of global terrorist attacks and over half of all terrorism-related deaths in 2024.
He urged coastal nations like Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, and Benin to intensify efforts along their northern borders, asserting that AFRICOM is fully backing their resistance to terrorist infiltration. “Our coastal partners are fighting fiercely, and US AFRICOM is standing with them,” he said.
The US general acknowledged that a partial withdrawal of American forces from parts of Africa had limited the country’s ability to monitor threats, but reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to its African allies. “We respect national sovereignty and only go where we’re invited. But our partnerships remain strong,” he said.
Langley also referenced his 2024 visit to Nigeria, where he engaged with military leaders to enhance joint counter-terrorism strategies. He praised the Nigerian military as one of the continent’s most capable and reiterated US support for ongoing operations against Boko Haram and ISIS West Africa.
While ties with Burkina Faso remain strained, Langley emphasized the need to maintain dialogue and disclosed that he had extended an invitation to the country’s defence chief to participate in the Nairobi conference.
On East Africa, Langley revealed that AFRICOM had doubled its airstrike operations in Somalia this year, following requests from the Somali government, in an effort to dismantle jihadist networks.
Despite regional instability, Langley expressed optimism about the growing capacity of African militaries to address their own security challenges. “African militaries are not waiting to be saved. They are taking control of their futures,” he said.
He added that AFRICOM’s long-term mission centers on building self-reliant African security institutions through training, intelligence sharing, and institutional support. “A stable Africa is not charity; it’s a strategic necessity,” he said.
Langley concluded by underscoring AFRICOM’s core philosophy: “Peace through strength.”
