The Commander of United States Africa Command, Gen Michael Langley, has revealed that extremist groups and terrorists in the Sahel are advancing to access West Africa’s coastline.
Langley, who disclosed this at the weekend, said the terrorist access to the coast would significantly raise their capacity to smuggle and traffic arms.
According to Langley, a coastal incursion would not only endanger African nations but threaten American interests, adding that “attacks are resurging in the Lake Chad region as well, and extremist groups are growing more aggressive. The recent attacks in Nigeria and across the Sahel are deeply concerning.
“The scale and brutality of some of these incidents are troubling. So we’re monitoring this closely.
“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,” Langley stated.
Langley told journalists at the African Chiefs of Defence Conference held in Nairobi, Kenya, from May 28 to 29, 2025 that the US stood in support of its coastal partners, saying, “That’s why our coastal partners – Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, and Benin – are fighting fiercely along their northern borders to prevent terrorist expansion, and US AFRICOM is standing with them.”
He advised Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, and Benin to hold firm along their northern borders to prevent terrorist infiltration, just as he revealed that partial withdrawal of US forces from parts of Africa had constrained America’s ability to monitor and respond to terrorism as closely as before.
He, however, emphasised US’ continued commitment to counterterrorism partnerships, while respecting national sovereignty.
“We respect nation sovereignty and only go where we’re asked as long as it aligns with U.S. national security objectives,” he said.
Langley said his visit to Nigeria in November 2024 provided a firsthand view of how the US supported Nigerian defence efforts.
“During my visit, I sat with Nigerian defence leaders to understand how we can help. The US acts with its partners—and in Nigeria’s case, we work together to combat Boko Haram and ISIS West Africa in pursuit of regional security,” he said.
“We are committed to supporting one of the most capable militaries in the region—Nigeria’s. Although our withdrawal has reduced our ability to monitor some developments directly, we maintain strong liaison and provide support where possible,” he added.
Langley also spoke on US efforts to foster dialogue with Burkina Faso, despite strained ties.
“The US seeks opportunities to collaborate with Burkina Faso on counterterrorism challenges. I invited Burkina Faso’s chief of defence to the African Chiefs of Defence Conference because I believe in maintaining that dialogue. So it’s still open,” he said.
On East Africa, he noted that AFRICOM had stepped up operations in Somalia.
“At the request of the Somali government, we’ve conducted over 25 airstrikes this year alone—twice as many as last year—targeting jihadist groups,” Langley revealed.
Despite the challenges, Langley expressed satisfaction that African militaries were confronting their security issues without waiting for external intervention.
“African militaries are not waiting to be saved. African militaries are taking on security challenges head-on, and leverage opportunities for their nations to achieve stability and prosperity.
“So right now, as I speak to you, they continue to step up and take control of their futures,” he said.
He stressed that AFRICOM’s focus is on long-term partnership, not dependence.
