Friday, May 30, 2025

Digital Press Briefing on the African Chiefs of Defense Conference 2025 with the Commander of U.S. Africa Command, U.S. Marine Corps General Michael Langley

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Digital Press Briefing on the African Chiefs of Defense Conference 2025 with the Commander of U.S. Africa Command, U.S. Marine Corps General Michael Langley
05/30/2025 12:35 PM EDT

U.S. Marine Corps General Michael Langley, Commander of U.S. Africa Command

Africa Regional Media Hub

MODERATOR:  Good afternoon to everyone from the U.S. Department of State's Africa — (interruption) – Africa Regional Media Hub.  Pardon me for that.  I welcome our participants logging in from across the continent and thank all of you for joining us.  I think that many of our journalists today have probably been on previous hub calls, and so you probably noticed that we are experimenting with the Webex platform.  So please bear with us if there are any technical difficulties today.  We're going to be operating things a little bit differently as well, which I'll explain later.  But in any event, today we are very pleased to be joined by the Commander of U.S. Africa Command, U.S. Marine Corps General Michael Langley.  General Langley will discuss the Africa Chiefs of Defense Conference 2025.  The African Chiefs of Defense Conference is a premier forum for military leaders from across the African continent to address pressing security challenges.

We will begin today's briefing with opening remarks from General Langley, then we will turn to your questions.  We will try to get to as many of those questions as we can during the briefing.

And with that, I'd like to turn it over to General Langley for his opening remarks.

GENERAL LANGLEY:  Good afternoon and thank you.  Thank you all for taking time to talk to me today.  I'm calling from Nairobi, Kenya, where we were wrapping up a significant event – the African Chiefs of Defense Conference.  This year, we were joined by senior military leaders from over 37 African nations.  And let me explain the dialogue.

The dialogue here was powerful.  It was focused on African-led solutions, regional cooperation, and long-term security strategies.  These conversations reaffirm something critical: that 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 own futures.

Today, I want to emphasize U.S. AFRICOM's strategic approach.  I've been charged by the Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth to mitigate threats to the U.S. homeland posed by terrorist organizations, the most dangerous of which are unfortunately right here on the African continent.

Now, to do this, first of all, Africa – AFRICOM is increasingly focused on helping our African partners address the root causes of terrorism.  That means tackling instability at the local level – through intelligence sharing, capacity building, and institutional strengthening – using and recommending tools beyond just the military might.

So security is rooted in the strength of communities.  Militaries must therefore be deeply integrated into society writ large to ensure safety and prosperity.

Now, over the years of – during my tenure of command, since 2022, my travels to Kenya, I was able to get out in the community.  I visited Kibera and met with a grassroots organization, which is the Shining Hope for Communities, the SHOFCO, led by Dr. Odede.  And this community, he showed me the way and all of the activities which he was doing – work over 40 counties across Kenya, mobilizing community-led efforts that prevent violence and build lasting peace.  Now, that's the model of how real security starts at the ground level – with the people.

Now, AFRICOM's aim is to support African nations in building the self-reliance needed to confront terrorism and insurgency by assisting in building strong, capable military and security forces.  Our partnership is summed up in three words: peace through strength.  Strong partnerships are the best representation of that thought, because we're always stronger when we stand together.

Second, while here at the ACHOD Conference, we are having honest conversations about burden sharing.  As resources are rebalanced globally, it is essential that all partners around the world – Africa included – take more ownership in their regional and continental security.

So that's why our military engagements emphasize the readiness of independent operations.  We had exercises this spring into – leading into the summer, like African Lion in North Africa, Flintlock in the Sahel, and the Express maritime series – Obangame Express in the west, now Cutlass was done in the east, and then Phoenix Express was done in the Mediterranean.  So across the periphery of Africa, we see that all these exercises together are not – are no longer about dependence.  It's about progressing to independent operations, building interoperability among nations, so crisis – being able – interoperability that will enable crisis response and command-level leadership among African militaries.

Let's just take Justified Accord.  This was the largest military exercise in East Africa.  It trains over 1,300 troops from up to 20 nations across – 20 nations across the continent of Africa.  We do this each and every year.  Kenya – along with Djibouti and Tanzania – they led from this front in the 2025 exercise by co-hosting the exercise.  This is the kind of regional leadership exactly in the direction of where we want to go, and we're encouraging it across the continent.

Let me speak plainly about the threats, though, we and the world, and specifically Africans, are facing increasingly as years go by.

The Sahel – that's where we consider the epicenter of terrorism – Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger are confronted with this each and every day; they're in crisis.  The terrorist networks affiliated with ISIS and al-Qaida are thriving, particularly in Burkina Faso, where the government has lost control of wide swaths of territory across their sovereign nation.  Attacks are resurging in the Lake Chad region as well, and extremist groups are growing more aggressive.

One of the terrorists' new objectives is gaining access to West Africa 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 U.S. shores.

That's why our coastal partners – Ghana, Côte d'Ivoire, and Benin – are fighting fiercely along their northern borders to prevent terrorist expansion, and U.S. AFRICOM is standing with them.

In East Africa, in support of the Somalia Federal Government, the U.S. is actively pursuing and eliminating jihadists.  And at the request of the Somali Government, this year alone AFRICOM has conducted over 25 airstrikes – double the number of strikes that we did last year.

I must emphasize we do prioritize protecting civilians.  That is our moral imperative.  AFRICOM has the highest standards in the region when it comes to protecting civilians that may find themselves surrounded by conflict.  We do everything possible to keep them safe.

Now, we're also focused on a broader strategic competition.  My second charge from Secretary Hegseth is to confront the military ambitions of the Chinese Communist Party on the continent.  So while the U.S. works to build transparency and respectful partnerships, China continues to pursue access to Africa's resources – often ignoring long-term sustainability.

So we're taking a different approach – one that links security with trade.  We know private investment cannot thrive without safety.  That's why AFRICOM's role is so vital:  We are not just helping build military capacity for African nations, we are helping build the stability that underpins both African and American prosperity.

Now, during my travels – I just want to note the last three years – I've seen these investments firsthand.  And it is clear to me that the whole-of-society approach is necessary to address these challenges.  And I meet across the society and the community, especially across the youth, who are our future of the African continent, being able to stabilize and reach all of the opportunities for prosperity.

In Algeria, I met with a youth robotics team applying technology to solve local problems – that is proof that African innovation will be a force of stability in the future.

I did the same thing in Morocco – spoke to over 200 young cadets at the military academy.  These are tomorrow's military leaders of the future, grounded in their service and discipline.

Also, last year at the ACHOD conference in Botswana, I did go to a PEPFAR – this was a supported medical station.  I saw firsthand the lifesaving impacts and collaboration that saved over 20 million lives across Southern Africa.

And then lastly, in Gabon, young students enrolled in STEM and robotics programs showed how they plan to use their projects in the future.

And then also while visiting young African leaders in Mauritania, to Nigerians, and to Somalia, I've seen young people that are getting the opportunities for prosperity in the future.  So that was the reward of my adventures: to be able to visit various African countries not just in the military sense but across civil society.

Now, I will say AFRICOM's goal is to deepen partnerships.  It's about the mutual goal of keeping our homeland safe, and it's about long-term capacity, not dependence.  It's about empowering African nations to solve African problems, not just through handouts but through trusted cooperation.  A safe and stable and prosperous Africa is not a charitable goal.  It's a strategic necessity for the United States and for our African partners.  AFRICOM is leaning in with the targeted training in advanced intelligence sharing and to support institutions that endure long after exercises end or commanders rotate.

So let me close with this.  This will likely be my last, final Chiefs of Defense Conference as the AFRICOM commander.  A nomination for my successor is expected soon.  But no matter who holds this position, the AFRICOM mission remains constant.  AFRICOM will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with African partners into the future.  It's been an honor to stand with all of you, and I am excited to see Africa's emerging leaders drive progress not just across the continent but across the world.

Thank you.  I look forward to your questions.

MODERATOR:  Thank you, General Langley.  We will now begin the question-and-answer portion of today's briefing.  So at any rate, we'd like to go to questions now.  And we're going to be posing questions on the topic of today's briefing, which is the African Chiefs of Defense Conference 2025.

So for our first question, I'll go to Chris Gordon of Air & Space Forces Magazine.  And his question is:  "What are the consequences of the U.S. leaving Niger?  What alternative basing arrangements have been agreed to or are being pursued?"

GENERAL LANGLEY:   Well, okay.  Thanks for that question, Chris.  I'll just say that since we've left Niger in September of last year, we're observing a rise in attacks by violent extremist organizations, not only in Niger but across the Sahel to include Nigeria as well and emanating in – going into Burkina Faso and Mali.  Now, this increases – is measurable by both frequency and complexity of these attacks driven by persistent and socioeconomic grievances and the proliferation of weapons and increased capable terrorist groups across the board.  So unfortunately with our withdrawal from the region, we have lost our ability to monitor these terrorist groups closely but continue to liaison with partners to provide what support we can.

MODERATOR:  Thank you, General.  Our second question goes to Fadi Mansour, Al Jazeera Media Network.  And the question is:  "How hopeful is General Langley that AFRICOM's efforts in Libya will lead to military reunification?  And are there any considerations to redeploy U.S. forces to the country?"  Libya.

GENERAL LANGLEY:  Okay.  Thanks for that question, Fadi.  I'll just say we've been meeting with and talking to both sides in Libya, trying to find ways to get the country on the path of reunification.  And we're doing it – we're doing it through the security construct first and hopefully we can set the stage and set the conditions for a diplomatic process to continue.  But at this ACHOD Conference here in Kenya, we invited both sides to send their senior military leaders.  Last year in Botswana, even in the previous year, both sides were in attendance.  So I'd welcome – we always welcome both sides at the ACHOD Conference, where we had a meaningful exchange of ideas.  But there's no discussion on troop movements, I'll just say that.

MODERATOR:  All right.  Thank you very much.  Let's turn now to Jessica Donati of Reuters in Senegal.  And the question is:  "Can you offer your analysis on the latest series of major attacks in Nigeria and the Sahel?  Do you see signs that groups are cooperating more broadly?"

GENERAL LANGLEY:  Well, Jessica, the recent attacks in Nigeria and across the Sahel are deeply concerning.  The scale and brutality of some of these incidents are really troubling.  So we're monitoring this closely and these events, and offering of sharing intel with the Nigerian and also regional partners in that area remains constant.  We are committed to supporting one of the most capable militaries in the region, in Nigeria.  Unfortunately, with our withdrawal out of the region, though, we have lost some of our ability to monitor terrorist attacks closely, but we continue to liaison with our partners to provide what support we can.

MODERATOR:  Thank you very much.  Now let's go to Mr. Ngala Chimtom of InDepth News of Cameroon.  "General Langley, in early April before the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, you questioned Burkina Faso's governance, asserting that its mining resources were being used to sustain the current regime.  However, recent developments suggest a different picture.  Reports indicate that Burkina Faso now earns $1,200 per ounce of gold, significantly up from $300 under French oversight.  Traditionally, President Traore has allocated over $179 million in gold proceeds to provide farming equipment aiming to accelerate agricultural production.  Given these facts, does this shift in resource allocation alter your previous assessment that raw material revenues primarily serve to keep Traore in power?"

GENERAL LANGLEY:  Well, Ngala, let me start with this.  Every nation makes independent decisions regarding their security, including partnerships.  We all respect their sovereignty.  Given these reports, I'm glad to hear that there's a shift in resource allocation that benefits civil society, because the enduring solution to counterterrorism does start with protecting civil society writ large.  So from a military perspective, which were – my comments were grounded towards, directed towards, concerns remain on military resourcing and management of what external military support is received for the whole fight of terrorism across their sovereign nation.

So the U.S. seeks opportunities to collaborate with Burkina Faso on counterterrorism challenges.  I invited Burkina Faso's chief of defense to the African Chiefs of Defense Conference because I believe in maintaining that dialogue.  So it's still open.  We're still open to conversation to be able to address the challenges of being able – and solutions to be achieved through our collaboration for addressing the terrorist problem, which is the epicenter within their great country.  And the great people of Burkina Faso deserve us to have that dialogue.  Thanks.

MODERATOR:  All right.  Thank you.  So Mr. Dean Wingrin of Defence Web in South Africa asks, "Does General Langley foresee U.S. Africa Command participating in joint exercises with Africa and, in particular, Southern African countries increasing or decreasing or staying the same?"

GENERAL LANGLEY:  We're always exploring opportunities to expand exercises like Cutlass Express, Obangame Express to include more Southern African nations.  So a lot of these Express exercises, we focus on counter-piracy, counterterrorism, maritime domain awareness, and crisis response.  So we have a number of partners in Southern Africa, including Botswana – as an emerging regional security exporter – that we can enable to support mutual security goals with training and exercises.  So we also have a Africa Maritime Forces Summit in the Mauritius occurring in a few weeks.  I would like to be able to attend that as well.  But this is a prime purpose for conferences such as ACHOD.  It's how we build a path forward together.

MODERATOR:  All right.  Thank you very much.  A question from Metro Star Media in Nigeria:  "Why is U.S. AFRICOM not helping Nigeria to combat Boko Haram and ISWAP, as well as pirates in the Gulf of Guinea?"  And for those of you don't know, the ISWAP is the Islamic State West Africa Province.

General.

GENERAL LANGLEY:  Okay, yeah, thanks for that question.  So now, as I said before, we respect nation sovereignty and only go where we're asked as long as it aligns with U.S. national security objectives.  I was just in Nigeria back in November, where I got to see firsthand how we actively work with and support Nigerian defense objectives.  During my entire command, I've been on a campaign of learning, and when I was in Nigeria, I sat across from our Nigerian partners to hear how we can assist.  Because again, the United States, we act with our partners, and in this particular case with Nigeria, we work together to combat Boko Haram and ISIS West Africa to promote regional security.

Nigeria is a strategic African partner, and we have a long history of providing critical material and training support to Nigeria.  It extends across from military sales, excess defense articles, and also training to go along with the foreign military sales.  That's a great example of how the law of armed conflict education goes with military training, and also, we've also had some intel sharing with them.  So Nigeria is a leading supporter and previous host of Obangame Express as well, highlighting their role as a leader in the region.

MODERATOR:  All right.  Thank you.  From Mr. Eliude Kibii of The Star in Kenya:  "The African Union and Somalia are decrying the inadequate funding for AUSSOM" – A-U-S-S-O-M. "The U.S. is non-committal to" – I think this is the question:  "Is the U.S. non-committal to any further funding?  Won't this create a gap that the resilient al-Shabaab will exploit amidst the drawback?"

GENERAL LANGLEY:  Okay, that's – that question there is really a policy question and a diplomacy-type question.  And I know that the AU and the UN are working to solve these problems, but from a security perspective and more operational perspective that I bring, we do wish for the sustainability of long-term stability in Somalia.  And – because that – all that Somalia does rely on building Somali security capacity.  That's where I come in.  We try to effect the shared responsibility for a broad coalition so they – so the Somali National Army can achieve those security objectives.

The current funding challenges at AUSSOM kind of underscore the difficulties.  But I would just stay out of that realm, but just talk about how, if they do solve these problems, it will be an enabler for continued operations in Somali National Army's fight against al-Shabaab.  So I know that the U.S. continues to work with Somali stakeholders, partners, and neighbors to improve the collaboration to go against this formidable foe.

MODERATOR:  All right.  Thank you very much.  I'd like to just remind everybody that we have the general for a half hour, and that's rapidly coming to a close, so I think we have time maybe for just a couple more questions.  From Eric Schmitt of The New York Times, Eric asks:  "Please assess the strength of ISIS Somalia and al-Shabaab in the wake of increase in U.S. airstrikes under the Trump administration?"

GENERAL LANGLEY:  Hey, thanks, Eric.  Good to hear from you again.  Hey, so Eric, this is worth going on, as you well know.  Partner-led efforts supported by the U.S. air strikes, it is working to degrade ISIS Somalia in their territorial control and across their leadership, because we are effectively hindering their ability to sustain a global network.  That's the primary purpose of these operations.  Our air strikes support offensive Somali military ground operations as well against ISIS Somalia.

And then also, our air strikes have also supported Somali and AUSSOM efforts to counter al-Shabaab, which is entrenched, wealthy, and large al-Qaida group, as you well know.  And they are – but we know that these groups are – have been adapting and increasing their reliance on ambushes and IEDs.  So these increased strikes achieve – have achieved tactical gains against both groups.  But lasting success will require a comprehensive strategy and addressing the root causes of instability in the security sector, which requires institution building across the Somali National Army and their whole of government.

MODERATOR:  Thank you.  Mr. Getahun Sitotaw of the Borkena agency in Ethiopia asks – I think the question is:  "Did Ethiopia participate in the conference?  What is Ethiopia's role in the Horn of Africa?  And is the U.S. shifting or has already shifted working with Ethiopia in fighting al-Shabaab and stabilizing the horn?  What are the prospects and trends?"

General?

GENERAL LANGLEY:  Yes, hey, thank you for that question.  It was great to have Ethiopia represented at the African Chiefs of Defense Conference.  I was able to meet with one of their senior military officials just a few hours ago, and that's – that was very enlightening.  We shared ideas and opportunities to work together.  So this is – this was a prime purpose of the ACHOD Conference, is how to build a path forward, standing together to address our shared security issues and also equitable distribution of burden across – with our partners.

Ethiopia brings a highly capable forces to combat al-Shabaab alongside their Somali partners.  So I was – it was great to have Ethiopia here at the conference.

MODERATOR:  All right, thank you, General.  And I know your time is limited, so we do have to call it a wrap at half an hour.  Do you have any final thoughts, General, to share with the group?

GENERAL LANGLEY:  I just want to thank the media writ large as being able to tell the story, what achievements we made this week at the Africa Chiefs of Defense Conference, because it was an opportunity for us to come together and talk about the African interagency experiences, civ-mil relations, and then all our regional efforts.  That in lies what – our way forward of the African militaries with the United States being able to achieve shared objectives, especially with the most present challenge right now of countering terrorism and the – and our collective operations – and then talking about the future force going into the future to affect security, stability, and prosperity for all African nations.

Thank you all, and I appreciate the time you spent with me today.

MODERATOR:  And thank you, General Langley, for joining us and being so generous with your time today.  Final thank you to the Commander of U.S. Africa Command, U.S. Marine Corps General Michael Langley.  And thank you also to the journalists for participating.  As always, we will produce a recording and a transcript of today's briefing, and we'll share it to those of you who participated just as soon as we can produce them.  If you have any questions about today's briefing, please contact us at the Africa Regional Media Hub at AFMediaHub@state.gov.

And one other request.  If you happen to publish any articles or broadcast pieces from today's briefing, we would appreciate it if you would share a link with us at that email address.  That just helps us to monitor the reach that we're achieving with these engagements.  Lastly, I would like to invite everyone to follow us on our Twitter handle – X – at @AfricaMediaHub.  Thank you, and have a great day.

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