Category: AFRICOM

Source: United States AFRICOM

U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Michael Langley, Commander, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), Amb. Robert Scott, AFRICOM Deputy for Civil-Military Engagement, and U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj Michael Woods, Command Senior Enlisted Leader visited Accra, Ghana, Apr. 30th through May 1st, to meet with senior Ghanaian leaders and participate in the African Maritime Forces Summit (AMFS) and U.S. Marine Corps Forces Africa (MARFORAF)’s Naval Infantry Leadership Summit-Africa (NILS-A).

Langley spoke at the opening ceremony for AMFS and NILS-A 2024 that had over 40 countries from four different continents attend. The events served as a crucial platform for identifying, sharing, and implementing solutions in collaboration with African coastal nations.

In her opening remarks to the conference, U.S. Ambassador to Ghana Virginia E. Palmer said, “Ghana has long been a leader in regional security and an exporter of peace.  Our security cooperation with Ghana is about building a long-term partnership, learning from each other, sharing best practices, and training together.   We appreciate President Akufo-Addo’s leadership and General Langley’s and AFRICOM’s important role in this partnership.” 

In addition, Langley, along with the Ambassador, met with His Excellency Nana Akufo-Addo, the President of the Republic of Ghana and his cabinet to discuss ways the two nations could work together more in security cooperation.

AFRICOM, in coordination with Ghanaian defense forces, has been actively engaged in countering violent extremism and combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing (IUU-F) activities along the African coast. The collaboration between AFRICOM and Ghanaian defense forces underscores a shared commitment to regional stability and security.

“Ghana plays a pivotal role in ensuring maritime security in the region, and it’s an honor to engage with our Ghanaian counterparts and partners to address common challenges.” said Langley. “The AMFS/NILS-A underscores the importance of international collaboration in tackling maritime security threats, and through forums like these, we strengthen our partnerships and enhance our collective capabilities.”

During the visit, Scott and Woods toured the U.S. Sixth Fleet’s USS Hershel Woody Williams, highlighting the ship’s importance in regional maritime security efforts. As a mobile sea base, the USS Hershel Woody Williams serves as a critical asset in supporting maritime operations, including counter-terrorism efforts, humanitarian assistance, and disaster relief missions across the African continent.

AMFS/NILS-A sets the stage for West Africa’s largest maritime exercise, Obangame Express, which will commence shortly after the conclusion of the summit. This exercise, spanning across Africa’s West Coast from Cabo Verde to Namibia, demonstrates the commitment of the United States and its partners to enhancing maritime security and fostering regional cooperation.

Additionally, Scott, Woods, and Ms. Maura Barry, USAID Senior Developmental Advisor (SDA) to AFRICOM toured Ghana Ports and Harbors Authority facility and received a presentation at a United States Agency for International Development (USAID) funded project that combats IUU-F at the port in Tema, Ghana. This event show cased AFRICOM’s 3D approach (defense, development, and diplomacy.)

Langley’s visit to Ghana underscores AFRICOM’s dedication to strengthening partnerships and advancing maritime security initiatives across the African continent. The U.S. and Ghana share a long history of promoting democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. Ghana has set an example for countries throughout Africa in promoting resilient democratic institutions, transparent and peaceful transitions of power, and regional stability.

AFRICOM leadership engaged Ghanaian and West African leadership throughout the week sharing with audiences the important of AMFS/NILS-A, the importance of the U.S.-Ghanaian relationship, and the need for more collaboration to counter IUU-F.

This is the second convening of AMFS, after Cabo Verde hosted the inaugural edition of the Summit in March 2023. It is also the third NILS-A, with the most recent convening occurring in Dakar, Senegal in 2022. AMFS/NILS-A 2024 marks the first time these have been combined into a single event.

U.S. Africa Command, headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany, is one of 11 U.S. Department of Defense combatant commands, each with a geographic or functional mission that provides command and control of military forces in peace and war. U.S. Africa Command employs the broad-reaching diplomacy, development, and defense approach to foster interagency efforts and help negate the drivers of conflict and extremism in Africa.

For more information, visit our website, Facebook and Twitter pages, or contact U.S. Africa Command Media Relations at africom-pao-media@mail.mil

Source: United States AFRICOM

Washington –U.S. Africa Command commander, U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Michael Langley, wrapped up his annual posture statement to Congress with a hearing before the House Armed Services Committee March 21. 

 Langley testified alongside Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs, Dr. Celeste Wallander, and U.S. Central Command commander, U.S. Army General Michael Kurilla.

 In his opening remarks, Langley provided and overview of the command’s top concerns and strategic goals. “Today’s global events, ranging from the Russian Federation’s war in Ukraine to the Houthis attacks in the Red Sea, directly impact the lives of millions of Africans,” Langley said. 

 “Terrorism, poverty, food insecurity, climate change and mass migration shatter African lives. These factors sow the seeds of violent extremism and Russian exploitation across entire regions of the continent,” he said. “We’re seeing impacts as these threats unfold…Challenges to democratic governance across the Sahel, complicating our relations with key partners.”

 The command is part of a three-part team of diplomacy, development, and defense professionals – a 3D approach – to ensure a synchronized whole-of-government effect, Langley explained. 

 “AFRICOM’s campaign [plan] revolves around central themes of ensuring strategic access, countering threats to the homeland and U.S. interests, preparing for and response to crises, and lastly, bolstering our allies and partners,” Langley said. The plan, “places our African partners at the center achieving positive change by executing African led, but U.S. enabled, operations.”

 Much of the discussion during the hearing focused on strategic competition from both China and Russia. Langley emphasized the need for a comprehensive whole-of-government approach as it relates to U.S. engagement in Africa because it provides an intrinsic value that competitors cannot match.

 “They can’t match what we’ve been doing in health diplomacy or what USAID has been able to achieve in regards to malaria, AIDS, COVID, Ebola, and also the full throes of the PEPFAR (U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief) program of increasing life expectancy over 20 percent.”

 In the official statement of record submitted to Congress last week, Langley also noted that the partnerships are built with sovereign African partners as they implement their own solutions to achieve a just, secure, and prosperous future. The contrasts across the operating environment are stark. Some of the governments are struggling to stave off state failure, while other enjoy the benefits of modern development and reliable governance.

 Use of kinetic military force is a last resort that can produce fleeting or counterproductive outcomes, he said in the written statement. 

 “AFRICOM’s approach is to help African people address underlying conditions. “We operationalize the toolkit of security cooperation…institutional capacity building, multinational exercises…intelligence and information sharing,” Langley said. “The outcome for which we all strive in Africa – the outcome most important to America’s national security – is a continent of free, safe, prosperous, and resilient nations that hold their peoples’ interests at heart.”

Source: United States AFRICOM

Gen. Michael Langley, commander of U.S. Africa Command, visited troops deployed to Niger during a three-day trip to the country, March 12-14.

The trip, led by Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of African Affairs Molly Phee and Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs Celeste Wallander, was to continue ongoing discussions with leaders of the National Council for Safeguarding the Homeland (CNSP) regarding Niger’s return to a democratic path and the future of our security and development partnership.

“The United States’ strategic presence in the Sahel is crucial for combating terrorism and supporting our African partners,” said Langley, “U.S. personnel in Niger continue their work to monitor for violent extremist threats. Visiting these men and women is important to me so I can hear about the challenges they are facing.”

U.S. Africa Command, headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany, is one of 11 U.S. Department of Defense combatant commands, each with a geographic or functional mission that provides command and control of military forces in peace and war. U.S. Africa Command employs the broad-reaching diplomacy, development, and defense approach to foster interagency efforts and help negate the drivers of conflict and extremism in Africa.

The visit highlights U.S. Africa Command’s 3D approach, which leverages diplomacy, development, and defense collaboration.

For more information, visit our website, Facebook and Twitter pages, or contact U.S. Africa Command Media Relations at africom-pao-media@mail.mil.

Source: United States AFRICOM

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U.S. Africa Command Civilian Casualty Assessment Report

In the latest quarterly civilian casualty assessment report period ending Dec. 31, 2023, U.S. Africa Command received two (2) new reports of civilian casualties which were found to be unsubstantiated. There were no open reports carried over from previous quarters. As of the end of this reporting period, there are no open reports.

This is the 16th quarterly civilian casualty assessment report since U.S. Africa Command began releasing reports in April 2020. The reports are part of the command’s commitment to transparency and accountability. 

U.S. Africa Command takes all reports of possible civilian casualties seriously and has a process to conduct thorough assessments using all available information. The command will continue to maintain and improve the civilian casualty assessment program and remains committed to reviewing and assessing any reports of civilian harm.

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Publication of Department of Defense Instruction 3000.17 “Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response”

The Department of Defense published the Department of Defense Instruction (DoDI) 3000.17 “Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response” on December 21, 2023.  The reports of civilian casualties contained in this quarterly report were received prior to DoDI 3000.17’s publication. U.S. Africa Command reviewed and assessed the reports in accordance with previously established combatant command processes.  

For future quarterly reporting, U.S. Africa Command will process reports of civilian harm in accordance with guidance established under DoDI 3000.17.

Discrepancies between U.S. Africa Command civilian casualty assessments and NGO Reports

U.S. Africa Command’s assessment of reports of civilian casualties occasionally differ from other organizations, including Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) for a number of reasons. The command’s information is based on reliable and layered intelligence sources and classified operational reporting which are not available to the public. This can contribute to perceived discrepancies between the command’s results and those of others. 

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Definition of “civilian” and “combatant”

When assessing reports of civilian casualties, DoD considers whether any members of the civilian population were wounded or killed as a direct result of U.S. military operations. For the purposes of such assessments, DoD does not include members of the civilian population who have forfeited the protections of civilian status by engaging in hostilities. Information about different classes of persons under the law of war, including “civilians” and “combatants,” can be found in Chapter IV of the DoD Law of War Manual (June 2015, Updated December 2016), which is available at: https://ogc.osd.mil/images/law_war_manual_december_16.pdf  

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U.S. Africa Command Quarterly Civilian Casualty Assessment Report 

Summary of Results

Completed Assessments

Note: The below reports of civilian casualties were assessed under previously established command processes prior to DoDI 3000.17’s publication. Under the previous command processes for responding to reports of civilian casualties, reports of civilian casualties are determined to be unsubstantiated when there was insufficient information to validate or substantiate the reports. When new information is received, a report of civilian casualties could be reassessed. Until that occurs, the assessment is considered complete.  

1. On Oct. 24, 2023, U.S. Africa Command received one (1) report from an online media source stating two (2) civilians were killed as a result of a U.S. military operation in the vicinity of Buaale, Somalia, on Oct. 24, 2023.  After review, the report was assessed as unsubstantiated. No U.S. military strike occurred at the time and place reported.
2. On Dec. 4, 2023, U.S. Africa Command received one (1) report from an online media source stating two (2) civilian was killed as a result of a U.S. military operation in the vicinity of Jilib District, Somalia, on Dec. 4, 2023. After review, the report was assessed as unsubstantiated. No U.S. military strike occurred at the time and place reported. 

Open Assessments

There are no open assessments during this quarter.

Source: United States AFRICOM

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At the request of the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted a collective self-defense against the al Shabaab terrorist group on Mar. 2.

The collective self-defense airstrike occurred in a remote area in the vicinity approximately 45 km northeast of Kismayo.

The initial post-strike assessment indicates that the U.S. airstrike killed two al Shabaab terrorists and that no civilians were harmed.

U.S. Africa Command will continue to assess the results of this airstrike and will provide additional information as appropriate. Specific details about the units involved and assets used will not be released in order to ensure operational security.

Al Shabaab has proved both its will and capability to attack U.S. forces and threaten U.S. security interests. U.S. Africa Command, alongside its partners, continues to take action to prevent this malicious terrorist group from planning and conducting attacks in the region, which disproportionately harms civilians.

Somalia remains key to the security environment in East Africa. U.S. Africa Command’s forces will continue training, advising, and equipping partner forces to give them the tools that they need to degrade al Shabaab.

U.S. Africa Command, headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany, with partners, counters malign actors and transnational threats, responds to crises, and strengthens security forces in order to advance U.S. national interests and promote regional security, stability and prosperity. 

Source: United States AFRICOM

U.S. Marine Corps General Michael Langley, Commander, U.S. Africa Command and U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant Major Michael Woods, Command Senior Enlisted Leader visited Morocco Feb. 20-21, 2024 on his third trip to the country since taking command.

 

During his official trip to Rabat, Morocco, Langley and U.S. Ambassador Puneet Talwar met with Mr. Abdellatif Loudiyi, the Moroccan Minister Delegate to the Head of Government, in charge of the National Defense Administration and other senior Moroccan military leaders, to discuss shared security interests and future areas of potential cooperation. In addition, Langley was a guest speaker at Morocco’s military academy, Collège Royal de l’Enseignement Militaire Supérieur.

 

“Morocco is a key U.S. partner on a wide range of regional security issues. Our friendship dates to the very founding of the United States.” said U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of Morocco Puneet Talwar. “The United States is committed to our partnership with Morocco, whether on peacekeeping and efforts to achieve stability on the continent or support for secure, interoperable defense systems and joint exercises that advance readiness.  Through visits like this, we continue to deepen our military cooperation that is critical to advancing peace and security in both our countries, in Africa, and globally.”

 

During a visit to the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces headquarters, Langley conducted an Honor Guard Pass and Review, followed by meetings with key officials, including General Mohammed Berrid, Inspector General of the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces; General de Division Alaoui Bouhamid, Inspector General of the Royal Moroccan Air Force; and Vice-Admiral Mostafa El Amai, Inspector General of the Royal Moroccan Navy and several others.

 

“The military partnership between the United States and Morocco is robust and poised for continued growth in the coming years.” said Langley. “This enduring collaboration is a testament to our shared commitment to regional security, stability, and prosperity.”

 

Morocco plays a pivotal role in maintaining regional security and stability, contributing significantly to peace and prosperity in both the Middle East and across the African continent. The strategic bilateral partnership is anchored in shared interests, reflecting a mutual dedication to addressing common challenges.

 

“The relationship between Morocco and U.S. Africa Command is solidified through years of collaboration and combined security efforts.” said Langley. “Morocco has been a host to major U.S. military exercises, including exercises like African Lion, the largest joint military exercise in Africa.” 

 

Morocco holds a crucial status as a key partner for the United States. The partnership is highly esteemed, with a particular appreciation for the active involvement of the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces in both bilateral and multinational exercises. These joint exercises serve as invaluable opportunities to boost the preparedness of our respective military forces and enhance overall interoperability.

 

The enduring partnership between the Utah National Guard and Morocco since 2003 underscores the depth of collaboration through the State Partnership Program. U.S. Africa Command remains steadfast in supporting its partners’ regional security efforts in North Africa, contributing to overall regional and global security and stability.

 

U.S. Africa Command, headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany, is one of 11 U.S. Department of Defense combatant commands, each with a geographic or functional mission that provides command and control of military forces in peace and war. U.S. Africa Command employs the broad-reaching diplomacy, development, and defense approach to foster interagency efforts and help negate the drivers of conflict and extremism in Africa.

 

For more information, visit our website, Facebook and Twitter pages, or contact U.S. Africa Command Media Relations at africom-pao-media@mail.mil

Source: United States AFRICOM

At the request of the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted a collective self-defense airstrike with five engagements against the al Shabaab terrorist group on Feb. 9.

 

The collective self-defense airstrike occurred in a remote area in the vicinity of Yaq Dabel, Somalia.

 

The initial post-strike assessment indicates that the U.S. airstrike killed two al Shabaab terrorists and that no civilians were harmed.

 

U.S. Africa Command will continue to assess the results of this airstrike and will provide additional information as appropriate. Specific details about the units involved and assets used will not be released in order to ensure operational security.

 

Al Shabaab is the largest and most deadly al-Qaeda network in the world and has proved both its will and capability to attack U.S. forces and threaten U.S. security interests. U.S. Africa Command, alongside its partners, continues to take action to prevent this malicious terrorist group from planning and conducting attacks on civilians.

 

Somalia remains key to the security environment in East Africa. U.S. Africa Command’s forces will continue training, advising, and equipping partner forces to give them the tools that they need to degrade al Shabaab.

U.S. Africa Command, headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany, with partners, counters malign actors and transnational threats, responds to crises, and strengthens security forces in order to advance U.S. national interests and promote regional security, stability and prosperity.