Shift in U.S. security strategy for Africa during global realignment

Take Charge, Africa: The U.S. Takes a Step Back in African Security

In a nutshell, Uncle Sam's stepping down from its decades-long role as the big brother safeguarding Africa's security. General Michael Langley, the head of US Africa Command (USAFRICOM), made it clear - it's high time for Africa to take the reins.

The US's defense department has been part of the scene since the 1970s, working to keep the African continent secure and peaceful. With the current administration prioritizing a leaner, more lethal military force and focusing on homeland security, it's only natural that Africa's at the forefront of the U.S. military strategists' gazes.

Africa's a goldmine for the rest of the world. It's teeming with Resources Galore - oil, gas, diamonds, cobalt, coltan - you name it. Watch 'em squeeze every last drop out of her soil. But wait - there's more! African countries hold strategic reserves like uranium that are vital for running industries worldwide. And let's not forget about the Booming Population. With a whopping 2.5 billion people by 2050, Africa's gonna be the melting pot of the 21st century.

Now, ain't everything peaches and cream. The Trump administration's defense strategy has got a blind spot - ignoring the need to protect the U.S. from overseas threats, such as terrorist organizations like ISIS and al-Qaeda that are making their way across the African continent.

Say Goodbye to Handouts, Hello to Bootstrapping

Remember the good ol' days when the military, diplomacy, and development went hand-in-hand with U.S. efforts in Africa? Well, those days are long gone. Langley stated that the focus will now be on homeland protection and "sharing the burden" with African partners. That means helping African countries build their military capacity so they can run their own operations without relying on U.S. forces.

One of the most recent examples of this new approach is the African Lion joint military exercise. Typically, the exercise involved plenty of U.S. leadership and influence, but the latest edition focused on collaboration among African countries.

Don't Bet on Vacancies, Bet on Terrorism

Adib Saani, a foreign policy and security analyst, has a bone to pick with this whole African self-reliance thing. He believes that the absence of U.S. support could result in a power vacuum, empowering militant networks, and undermining years of counterterrorism efforts.

"If the U.S. steps aside, we're toast," said Saani. "These terrorists will take the opportunity to launch lethal, audacious attacks…and don't even get me started on demoralized soldiers facing these threats."

The U.S. currently wraps up its military presence in Africa with around 6,500 troops on the ground and has pumped hundreds of millions into security assistance. Will African countries be able to step up and shoulder the load without them? Saani sure doesn't think so.

"We're not there yet. Security is a team sport. We need everybody, and we ain't gonna make it alone."

Diversify Partners or Kiss Your Oil Goodbye

As the U.S. takes a step back, African countries will need to dance with other partners. In this cutthroat game of geopolitics, China's and Russia's gloves are off.

China has been tightening its grip on African forces with extensive military training programs and access to technology, while Russian mercenaries have secured their presence throughout North, West, and Central Africa. With the U.S. sidelined, it's a race to woo Africa into their orbit.

"It's like a cage match," explained Saani. "The U.S. has always been big on military support; China's focused on the economy. Russia? They've got a presence in the economy and the military. We're getting courted by all the heavyweights, but we gotta stay savvy. We can't play favorites."

In other words, Africa needs to get its dance steps right if it wants to weave in and out of the spider web of global powers.

Originally penned by Sarah Hucal

Enrichment Data:- African Self-Reliance in Security: The shift in U.S. strategy aims to promote African self-reliance by building local military capacity, institution-building, and intelligence sharing rather than direct U.S. military intervention.- Security Vacuums and Terrorist Groups: As the U.S. withdraws its military presence, concerns about security vacuums and the expansion of terrorist organizations, such as ISIS affiliates and al-Qaeda, have grown.- Burden Sharing Among African Nations: The U.S. expects African nations to coordinate more effectively among themselves to confront shared threats and develop independent operational capabilities.- Geopolitical Competition: The withdrawal of the U.S. military presence opens up opportunities for other global powers, particularly China and Russia, to increase their influence in Africa through military training programs, technology, and economic support.- Impact on Human Security and Economic Progress: Historically, U.S. military presence and accompanying development aid (USAID programs) have contributed to improving human security conditions and reducing poverty. Reduced U.S. engagement could result in a decrease in support for such stabilization efforts, which are crucial for economic growth and the prevention of conflict escalation.- Balancing Act: African countries must carefully navigate the playing field as they diversify their partnerships with China, Russia, and other regional and global powers to ensure sustained economic sovereignty, security, and development.

African nations will increasingly focus on building their own military capacity, as the United States shifts its strategy towards homeland protection and sharing the burden with international partners.
China and Russia are expanding their influence in Africa through military training programs, technology, and economic support, taking advantage of the U.S.'s withdrawal from its military presence.
The withdrawal of the U.S. military presence in Africa has raised concerns about security vacuums and the growth of terrorist organizations, such as ISIS affiliates and al-Qaeda, in the region.
As Africa looks to diversify its partners, policy-and-legislation makers are faced with the task of balancing regional and global alliances to ensure economic sovereignty, security, and development.
The African continent, teeming with valuable resources like oil, gas, and minerals, is at the center of international attention, with world powers scrambling for alliances and investments in the growing population.