General Michael Langley, Commander of United States Africa Command (AFRICOM)spoke on the security situation in the Sahel. This was during a press conference followed by AFRIQUE SUR 7, on Thursday, June 27, 2024.
Michael Langley discusses the extent of terrorism in the Sahel after the withdrawal of French and American troops
In a discussion with the press this Thursday, the head of the United States Africa Command was asked about the evolution of the security situation in the Sahel after the withdrawal of French and American troops. To this question, General Langley responded without hesitation. “For me, the Sahel has become less safe”he replied.
In justifying his answer, he gave several reasons. Michael Langley mentioned “the increase in the number of violent extremist factions or organizations (JNIM, Daesh-Sahel or Daesh-West Africa; Boko Haram)”. He notes that these organizations are still present in the Sahel region. “It is therefore a phenomenon which has taken on considerable proportions throughout the region and which is about to spread to coastal West Africa”did he declare.
Violent extremist organizations therefore thrive in areas of instability, particularly due to weak governance. Populations, regions, throughout coastal West Africa, a number of regions beyond their thus ungoverned northern borders, are susceptible to influence by violent extremist organizations.
General Michael Langley
Commander of the United States Africa Command insists that the Sahel territories are “less safe”This is why its structure, despite the divergences with certain countries in the region, intends to provide solutions. “(…) we intend to engage with these countries, identify their needs so that they can take the lead in a sustainable solution, and in most cases, it will be a whole-of-government approach on their side as well. That’s where our ‘3D’ structure within AFRICOM comes in, because we have these common goals, these common challenges, we have taken an approach to a sustainable solution through a whole-of-government approach.”he said.
General Langley gives a positive assessment of the actions carried out in the past and remains convinced that future actions (in collaboration with their African partners) will also bear fruit.
