U.S. Military Strategy in Africa Remains ‘Partnership-Centric’

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The head of the U.S.-Africa military command (AFRICOM), Marine Corps General Michael Langley, has said his government’s approach to the region – at a time of growing interest from other world powers – will remain “partnership-centric” and led by Africans. On a visit to North and East Africa, the Africom commander said his mission was to “learn and understand their approach for counter-terrorism”.

Analysts say Africa’s growing geo-political significance has led global powers “scrambling” to increase ties with the continent. Whether security or economic cooperation, the continent has piqued the interest of Russia, China, and the U.S.

The American general, however, emphasized that the U.S. relations with the continent are of mutual respect: “When we have engaged with our African partners, we don’t give them an ultimatum of who to choose for a security partner.”