The United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) has urged African countries, including Somalia, to assume greater responsibility for their own security, as the U.S. reduces the scale of aid it has traditionally provided to stabilize the region.
Speaking to journalists outside the African Chiefs of Defense Conference in Nairobi on Thursday, AFRICOM Commander General Michael Langley stated:
“There are things we used to do that we may no longer be able to continue.”
He emphasized the need for African nations to step up and share the burden of security, saying:
“We are asking you to take action and share this responsibility with us.”
General Langley warned that extremist groups like Al-Shabaab are seeking to exploit the gaps created by the reduction in international aid. He noted that Al-Shabaab is actively building shadow administrations in areas outside the control of the Somali government.
While the U.S. will continue to offer intelligence sharing and joint military exercises, Langley clarified that overall support will now be more selective, guided by mutual strategic interests and driven by capable local leadership that can respond to internal threats.
Meanwhile, China is increasing its influence across Africa by ramping up military training programs and significantly boosting its security-related investments in several African nations.
