Category: AFRICOM

Source: United States AFRICOM

U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Michael Langley, commander, U.S. Africa Command, and Sgt. Maj. Michael Woods, the command’s senior enlisted leader, traveled to Nairobi, Kenya; Mogadishu, Somalia; and Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti Jan. 22-25 to meet with civilian and military leaders.

On Jan. 23, Langley and Woods met with Kenyan Minister of Defense Aden Duale and Chief of Defence Gen. Francis Ogola, as well as the Honorable Meg Whitman, U.S. Ambassador to Kenya. They conducted troop engagements and visited Manda Bay as well, before departing to Somalia.

“In my meetings with Minister Duale and General Ogolla, we reaffirmed our strong bilateral security relationship and discussed areas for future cooperation,” Langley said. “We have worked closely with Kenyan forces for many years, and I’m grateful for our strong partnership.”

In Mogadishu, Langley met with Somali President Hasan Sheikh Mohamud and Lt. Gen. Sam Okiding, the Force Commander for the African Transition Mission in Somalia.

I was grateful to be able to meet with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Chief of Defense Forces Gen. Ibrahim Sheikh Muhiyadin today to discuss our U.S.-Somali security cooperation efforts now and in the future.

“I also had a very good meeting with Amb. Mohammed Souef, African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, and Lt. Gen. Sam Okiding, ATMIS Force Commander,” Langley said. “U.S. Africa Command is committed to supporting the Federal Government of Somalia and helping to improve the country’s security and stability.”

While in Somalia, Langley and Woods also conducted troop engagements and met with officials from the U.S. Embassy Mogadishu. They then traveled to Camp Lemonnier in Djibouti to visit with embassy officials and conduct troop engagements.

The general and the sergeant major traveled back to Stuttgart Jan. 25.

U.S. Africa Command is one of seven U.S. Department of Defense geographic combatant commands, and is responsible for all U.S. military operations, exercises, security cooperation, and crisis response on the African continent in support of U.S. interests and to promote regional security, stability, and prosperity.

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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At the request of the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted a collective self-defense airstrike with two engagements against the al Shabaab terrorist group on Jan. 21. 

The collective self-defense strike occurred in a remote area of Somalia, approximately 35 kilometers northeast of Kismayo. 

The initial assessment is that the U.S. airstrike killed three al Shabaab terrorists and that no civilians were injured or killed. 

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 active 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. 

Source: United States AFRICOM

U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Michael Langley, Commander, U.S. Africa Command, and U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Michael Woods, the command’s Senior Enlisted Leader, visited Nigeria, January 10-11, 2024.

Langley and Woods engaged with Major General EV Onumajuru, Chief of Defense Training and Operations. The leaders discussed opportunities to strengthen bilateral cooperation between the two nations, efforts to counter violent extremism in the region, and Nigeria’s leadership when addressing regional security. Langley reaffirmed the United States’ long-standing cooperation with Nigeria, which has the largest population, economy, and democracy in Africa.

“Cooperation and training between the U.S. and Nigerian militaries is vital in addressing the evolving security landscape in West Africa and advancing common interests,” Langley said. “This visit underscores the United States’ commitment to work in partnership with West African nations in promoting security, stability and prosperity across the region.”

Around West Africa, extremist groups exploit weak governance and environmental stressors, causing instability. This insecurity not only affects the region but also poses a global threat by fostering terrorism and exacerbating humanitarian crises.

“Instability in West Africa requires collaboration – including intelligence sharing and capacity building – to address. In partnership with Nigeria, the United States aims to counter terrorism, provide humanitarian assistance, and achieve the security needed for economic growth,” stated U.S. Mission Nigeria Chargé d’Affaires David Greene.

Langley also met with Nigerian alumni of the embassy’s Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) and other programs, where he shared his perspective on leadership and learned about the alumni’s achievements. Langley and Woods further met with embassy diplomatic and military personnel, several of whom he recognized for their accomplishments.

U.S. Africa Command is one of seven U.S. Department of Defense geographic combatant commands. The command is responsible for all U.S. military operations, exercises, and security cooperation, and conducts crisis response on the African continent to advance U.S. interests and promote regional security, stability, and prosperity.

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

U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Michael Langley, Commander, U.S. Africa Command, and U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Michael Woods, the command’s Senior Enlisted Leader, visited Chad Jan. 9-10, 2024.

Langley and Woods engaged with key military leaders and partners to discuss collaborative efforts in promoting peace, security, and stability across the Sahel.

“U.S. Africa Command remains dedicated to building enduring partnerships with Chad and other African nations in the Sahel to address mutual security concerns and to help promote a peaceful and prosperous future in the region,” Langley said.

During the trip, Langley met with General Abakar Abdelkerim Daoud, Chief of Staff for the Armed Forces for Chad, and other military leaders. Discussions focused on regional security challenges and Chadian efforts to counter violent extremism in the Sahel.

Langley also viewed the Chadian Air Force’s two C-208B light reconnaissance aircraft and took the opportunity to speak with pilots, maintainers, and operators. The aircraft were formally handed over by the United States in 2018. Chadian forces use the aircraft for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions to counter violent extremist organizations in the Lake Chad Basin.

Of note, Langley met with Chad’s first two female military pilots, Lt. Ahmat and Lt. Djiddi from the Chadian Air Force who were certified to fly the C-208s in the United States in 2022.

Instability in the Sahel threatens U.S. interests, making collaboration essential for intelligence sharing and capacity building. Additionally, U.S. engagement aids regional stability, essential for economic growth and humanitarian efforts. By fostering partnerships, the United States aims to counter terrorism and promote collective security efforts in the Sahel.

The Sahel region in Africa holds immense security importance due to its challenges. Extremist groups exploit weak governance and environmental stressors, causing instability. This insecurity not only affects the Sahel but also poses a global threat by fostering terrorism and exacerbating humanitarian crises.

In addition, Langley met with U.S. military personnel stationed at the embassy, recognizing members for their accomplishments.

“It was an honor to have General Langley with us, to see the progress Chad has made since his last visit here,” said U.S. Army Colonel Mark Choate, Senior Defense Official, Defense Attaché to the Republic of Chad. “On the military front, Chad has enacted important reforms, embracing civilian governance with a civilian Minister of Defense and maintaining its international commitments in a time of turmoil.”

U.S. Africa Command is one of seven U.S. Department of Defense geographic combatant commands. The command is responsible for all U.S. military operations, exercises, security cooperation, and conducts crisis response on the African continent to advance U.S. interests and promote regional security, stability, and prosperity.

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.