Washington, D.C. – September 19, 2024 – The United States is actively engaged in discussions with Ghana and other West African countries bordering the Gulf of Guinea to address the growing threat of terrorism and security challenges in the region.
According to the Commander of US Africa Command (AFRICOM), General Michael Langley, the US is concerned about the increasing presence and activities of violent extremist organizations in the northern regions of countries like Côte d’Ivoire, Togo, Benin, and Ghana. To counter these threats, the US is working closely with these countries to understand their needs and provide appropriate support.
During a recent webinar, General Langley highlighted the importance of strengthening security cooperation in the region to defeat terrorism and protect borders. He emphasized the need for a collaborative approach and expressed the US’s commitment to providing assistance to African governments in building their capacity to counter violent extremism.
AFRICOM supports African armed forces through training, exercises, equipment sales, and other security cooperation initiatives. These efforts aim to enhance military capabilities and strengthen relationships between the US and African nations.
As part of his recent travel to North and East Africa, General Langley conducted a learning and listening tour in Ghana, Togo, Benin, and Côte d’Ivoire to assess the specific challenges faced by these countries. He recognized the growing threat posed by groups like JNIM, al-Shabaab, ISIS-West Africa, ISIS-Sahel, AQIM, and the need for coordinated action to address them.
Regarding the US withdrawal from Niger, General Langley assured that the process was executed safely and orderly. The future of security cooperation in the Sahel will be determined by the national command authorities of the involved countries.
General Langley also commended Kenya for its significant contributions to the fight against al-Shabaab in East Africa. Kenya’s partnership with the Somali National Army has been instrumental in containing the extremist group and ensuring regional security.
During his trip to Africa, General Langley visited Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Kenya, and Somalia to gain a deeper understanding of their approaches to counter-terrorism and discuss shared challenges.
