The US military is taking a step back from its characteristic rhetoric of good governance and addressing the root causes of insurgencies. Instead, it is embracing a message that its shaky African allies need to be prepared to stand on their own more.
The US military is shifting away from its historical model of encouraging good governance and resolving the underlying causes of insurgency in Africa. Rather, it is urging its African allies to assume greater responsibility for their security.
This strategic shift occurred during African Lion, the largest joint training exercise by the U.S. military on the continent. “We need to be able to get our partners to the level of independent operations,” Gen. Michael Langley, commander of U.S. Africa Command, said in an interview on the last day of the exercise.
Langley emphasized the importance of “burden sharing,” pointing out that enabling partners to take control of their security has been a top priority of the defence department during former President Donald Trump’s regime.
Over 40 countries were involved in the four-week exercise, which featured desert-based training such as drone missions, simulations of close-quarters combat, and satellite-guided rocket firings.
Although the operational components replicated those of past years, the tone has significantly shifted. The U.S. has retreated from rhetoric that previously set it apart from Russia and China, such as messaging on the integration of defence, diplomacy, and development, in favour of establishing tactical independence among partner countries.
We have our set priorities now — protecting the homeland. And we’re also looking for other countries to contribute to some of these global instability areas,” he said, referencing U.S. support for Sudan.
The shift comes as the U.S. military makes moves to ”build a leaner, more lethal force,” including potentially cutting military leadership positions in places like Africa, where America’s rivals continue to deepen their influence. China has initiated its sweeping training program for African armies. Russian mercenaries are retooling and solidifying their position as security partners of choice across North, West and Central Africa.
