Top U.S. General in Africa Paints Grim Picture of U.S. Military Failures in Africa

President George W. Bush created a new command to oversee all military operations in Africa 18 years ago .

The U.S. Africa Command was meant to help “bring peace and security to the people of Africa ” The Trump administration now has AFRICOM on the chopping block as part of its reorganization of the military.

At least 15 officers who benefited from U.S. security assistance were key leaders in 12 coups in West Africa and the greater Sahel during the war on terror.

At least five leaders of the 2023 coup d’état in Burkina Faso received American assistance.

The command called ISIS-Somalia “a growing threat in East Africa ”.

U.S. support to the Nigerian military has been immense, and Nigerian people have suffered for it.

Between 2000 and 2022 , alone, the United States provided, facilitated, or approved more than $2 billion in security aid to the country.

In a conference call with reporters, held as part of the 2025 African Chiefs of Defense Conference , Langley took only written, vetted questions.