The United States has reiterated its resolve to continue partnering with the militaries of African countries, including Nigeria under the administration of Bola Tinubu, to fight terrorist groups such as Boko Haram and ISWAP, among others.
U.S. Marine Corps General Michael Langley, the commander of U.S. Africa Command, disclosed this on Friday during a digital press briefing on the African Chiefs of Defense Conference 2025, a forum for military leaders on the continent to address security challenges in the region.
Responding to the media on why U.S. AFRICOM is not directly involved in combating Boko Haram and ISWAP, as well as pirates in the Gulf of Guinea, Mr Langley said the U.S. respects the sovereignty of countries on the continent and “only go where we’re asked,” but noted that the U.S. still provides support for the Nigerian military.
Mr Langley said, “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,” Mr Langley noted.
He stated that Nigeria is a strategic African partner of the U.S., with a long history of receiving critical material and training support, including military sales, excess defense articles, training, as well as intelligence sharing.
Mr Langley, who was joined online by senior military leaders from over 37 African nations, had in his opening remarks from Nairobi, Kenya, expressed satisfaction that militaries in African countries are not waiting to be saved.
He stated, “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.”
“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,” the U.S. AFRICOM commander stated.
