The United States Army is indicating a major change in its approach to security cooperation in Africa, moving away from a comprehensive strategy that emphasized good governance and overall development for a more concentrated message: African partners should be prepared for maximum responsibility for their safety. The axis was clearly depicted during the African Lion 2025, the largest joint military exercise on the continent, recently concluded in Tan Tan, Morocco, including soldiers from more than 40 countries.
General Michael Langle, the top American military officer in Africa, underlined this change in an interview with the Associated Press on the last day of the practice. “We need to be able to take our partners to the level of independent operation,” Langle said. “Some burden needs to be shared.” This practical stance marks a departure from previous rhetoric, which often combines military support with diplomatic and developmental initiatives aimed at addressing the root causes of instability, such as poor governance, environmental decline and economic difficulty.
For four weeks, the African lion demonstrated coordinated efforts to combat diverse hazards from air, land and sea. Participants flew drones, engaged in close quarter Combat simulation, and launched satellite-guided rockets in desert areas. While the operational components of the exercise reflected those people over the years, the underlying messages clearly moved from the idealistic ability to create practical self -reliance for African terrorists.
This change in tone reflects wide strategic priorities within the Defense Department of Trump Administration, which is emphasizing homeland security and getting more contributing to friendship in the management of global hotspots including Sudan and other parts of Africa. “We now have our prescribed priorities – protecting the motherland,” Langle explained. “And we are looking for other countries to contribute to some of these global instability fields.”
Africa repetitions between other global powers, especially the growing competition with China and Russia. China has aggressively expanded its military training programs on the continent, while Russian mercenaries have seen themselves as preferred security partners in North, West and Central Africa. These developments have expressed concern about the low impact of the US in Washington and the increasing domination of rival nations that provide military assistance without conditions on governance or human rights.
Only one year ago, Langle made the “entire government approach” to champion, emphasizing that military force alone cannot stabilize delicate states or protect American interests. He cited factors such as desertification, crop failures and violent extremism, as the dangers addressed through coordinated defense, diplomacy and development efforts were added. However, he admitted that such comprehensive efforts achieved mixed results. “I have seen progress and I have seen regression,” Langli reflected.
Actually, the challenges faced by African terrorists are difficult. Many national forces are poorly equipped, lack of advanced air capabilities, and struggle with weak infrastructure, limiting their ability to patrol in spacious and often inaccessible areas. Meanwhile, the expansion of terrorist groups associated with al-Qaeda and Islamic State continues, which turns parts of East and West Africa into some deadliest areas for terrorism globally. The Sahel region alone was responsible for more than half of the world’s terrorism victims in 2024, underlining the seriousness of the crisis.
The US Army maintains around 6,500 personnel across Africa, engaging in security aid programs and targeted operations such as air strikes against IS and Al-Shabab terrorists in Somalia. Nevertheless, Langle admitted that even with this support, fellow forces like Somali National Army are capable of maintaining security independently. “Somali National Army is trying to find its way,” he said. “There are some things that they still need to be very effective in the battlefield.”
In Sahel, West Africa, the situation is even more uncertain. Beverly Ocheng, a security analyst specializing in the region, noticed that Western powers have gradually reduced their presence – either voluntarily or after being forced by local governments to be hostile to foreign influence. Several Sahelian terrorists lack the air power and technical capabilities required for monitoring and feedback of terrorist movements in the challenging area of the region. “Local terrorists were left without equipment to cope with them,” Ocheng explained.
This decline of Western participation increases the urgency behind the new burden-sharing story of the US Army. The message to African partners is clear: increased self -sufficiency is mandatory, not optional. Nevertheless, given the frequent shortcomings in equipment, training and governance, questions are about how realistic it is in the near period.
In addition, this renovation increases strategic and moral concerns. As African countries are suppressed to take more responsibility with less resources, the risk of failing to incorporate rebels increases, potentially destabilizes broader areas and reduces international security. Critics are concerned that leaving a broad, multidimensional approach to the risks of safety and development, repeating previous mistakes, allowing extremist groups to take advantage of governance and social grievances of governance.
This change also reflects a comprehensive debate within the US defense policy about the size and scope of foreign commitments. The attention of the Trump administration on streamlining military forces and prioritizing homeland defense aligns with increasing doubts about long -term engagement in areas such as Africa, which has traditionally been low in the priority list of Pentagon.
Nevertheless, bets are high in Africa. The continent is seen as a strategic field in the competition among global powers. Controlling access to resources, markets and political impacts in Africa will shape global geopolitics for the coming decades. The ability of African countries to manage its safety challenges will not only determine regional stability independently, but will also affect global efforts to combat terrorism, migration and international crime.
Experts emphasize the importance of balanced realism with constant support for African partners. While expecting complete self -sufficiency in short term can be unrealistic, it is important to create combined gradual capacity with political and economic reforms. Stories of success like Ivory Coast, where coordinated defense and development efforts have reduced jihadi attacks, have highlighted the capacity of integrated approach when adequately supported.
As the American military defines its currency in Africa, cooperation with regional organizations such as the African Union and multilateral partnerships will be important. Taking advantage of local knowledge and promoting the inclusive governance can increase the effectiveness and validity of the security initiative.
In summary, recent statements and actions of the US Army extended a strategic axis from idealistic nation-building to a genital burden-sharing. African Lion 2025 served as a platform to show this new reality – where African terrorists are expected to take over more direct responsibility between the ongoing dangers and international competition. While this change refers to changing priorities and fiscal obstacles, it also presents important challenges for regional stability and global security.
From the coming years, it will be known that the United States and its African partners can navigate this infection. To ensure that the African forces are adequately equipped, trained, and are supported to face politically growing rebels. Similarly, addressing the underlying governance and socio-economic issues is essential for permanent peace and safety. The American approach to Africa will undoubtedly shape the projection of the continent and a broad international order for the coming years.
Bob