Is Africa The New Front in the War on Terror?

By: Nathan Matsko

Bellefonte — The United States military is generally quiet regarding its operations in Africa. This is now becoming more difficult as American soldiers stationed in allied countries come under threat from regional actors.

Early last month, a military compound used by United States forces in Kenya was attacked by Somali jihadist group Al-Shabab, killing three Americans and damaging much of the compound. This skirmish is reminiscent of the events that transpired in Niger on the 4th of October in 2017. According to the results of an investigation by the Department of Defense, four US Green Berets and four Nigerien Soldiers were killed by militants outside of the village of Tongo Tongo, near Mali’s border.

These American casualties, especially those of the Green Berets in Niger, resulted in heightened media coverage and investigation into America’s activities in Africa. Through the Freedom of Information Act, The Intercept discovered documents that revealed American assets in the region are far greater than previously thought, with more than thirty bases scattered across North, East and West Africa.

Countries in Sub-Saharan Africa have been under increasing threat from militant groups. These groups, such as Boko Haram, Al-Shabab and countless others, pose a serious threat to local governments and civilians.

US Forces regularly support and train local militaries to combat these threats, as jihadist organizations grow emboldened. These efforts do not go unhindered, as cultural differences and a general lack of preparedness pose unforeseen challenges to US and local forces. This is not the full extent to US involvement, however.

*Major General Roger Cloutier speaks with Nigerien military officers. Credit: Robert Timmons*

The United States Africa Command (known as Africom) is the central entity of the United States military responsible for operations within Africa. Africom gives insight into the current situation, with weekly reports of airstrikes and ground operations against militants in cooperation with local forces. In 2017, American forces were, on average, engaged in 10 missions per day, varying from raids to training exercises.

Recently, the Pentagon has announced downsizing efforts in Africa. This decision has proven to be controversial amongst both Democrat and Republican lawmakers, who are concerned that a slash in funding will make the fight against terrorism in increasingly unstable African nations much more difficult.

It also raises questions about already existing infrastructure and projects in the region, such as a recently completed drone base in Niger, which is capable of housing and launching both armed and unarmed drones.

Even with reduced funding and an increased focus on global rivals like China and Russia, it is clear that the United States doesn’t plan on abandoning its efforts in Africa any time soon. By helping to combat militant groups over the continent, the US strengthens relationships with — and influence over — allied nations.

With the Islamic State’s “Caliphate” crumbling in Syria and Iraq, Africa seems destined to become the new battleground in the fight against radical Jihadism. Only time will tell what lies ahead in this fight, and the effects it will have on the lives of the people of Africa.