The China-Africa Security Radar posted on 27 July 2025 an article titled "China's Rebuttal of AFRICOM: Finding the Middle Ground."
A recent article in the Communist Party of China's Global Times responded to AFRICOM's commander, General Michael Langley's 10 June testimony before the House Armed Services Committee that framed China as a growing strategic competitor in Africa. The Global Times article dismissed US claims of China's military expansion in Africa.
The Financial Times published on 24 April 2024 an article titled "Russian Troop Arrival Spells End for US Military Presence in Niger" by Aanu Adeoye.
Following the arrival in Niger of 100 Russian troops with its Africa Corps, the United States announced that, at the request of the Nigerien military regime, it will remove its 1,000 military and civilian personnel from an airbase in the northern part of the country. According to the article, Niger's main reason for embracing Moscow is "protecting the regime," particularly from France, which it accuses of plotting its demise. In spite of the deteriorating Niger-US relationship, Washington is trying to maintain a presence and some limited influence in the country.
Critical Threats Africa File published on 21 March 2024 an analysis titled "Niger Cuts the United States for Russia and Iran" by Liam Karr.
Niger is unlikely to compromise on its efforts to expand ties with Russia and Iran to maintain its military partnership with the United States. The military regime in Niger has apparently concluded that Russia and Iran are better positioned to help ensure regime security than the United States and France, which was pushed out earlier.
Increasingly, it appears Russian troops or mercenaries with the Africa Corps, previously known as the Wagner Group, are headed to Niger like they recently deployed to Burkina Faso to protect the regime.
CNN published on 18 March 2024 an article titled "Russia Undermining Relationship of Critical West African Ally with the U.S., Officials Say" by Natasha Bertrand and Oren Liebermann.
Following the military coup in Niger in July 2023, first France and now the United States have been asked by the military regime to remove their military personnel, about 650 in the case of the US, from the country. The United States believes that Russia and Iran contributed to this decision by Niger. Russia is in discussion with Niger concerning deployment of its Africa Corps, formerly the Wagner Group, to replace the French and American troops.
Today News Africa published on 17 March 2023 an article titled "China Is America's Greatest Threat in Africa, Top U.S. Commander Michael Langley Tells Senate, Cites Competition with CCP over Continent's Minerals Needed by American Firms" by Simon Ateba.
U.S. AFRICOM commander Michael Langley testified before the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee last week. He argued that China is trying to change international norms and seeking African support to do so. China is also interested in additional military bases and access to minerals in Africa.
The U.S. State Department posted on 2 March 2023 an interview with General Michael Langley, Commander of U.S. Africa Command. This wide ranging interview covers many aspects of U.S. military engagement in Africa and comments on Russian and Chinese activities.
The Washington Post published on 21 July 2022 an article titled "Russia's Moves in Africa Problematic for U.S. Interests, General Agrees" by Karoun Demirjian.
The US is increasingly concerned about Russian polices in Africa and its ability to neutralize in some countries criticism of Putin's invasion of Ukraine.
The Washington Post published on 20 July 2022 an article titled "After 246 Years, Marines Set for Their First Black Four Star General" by Rachel Chason and Dan Lamothe.
Lt. General Michael E. Langley has been nominated to command U.S. forces in Africa, known as U.S. AFRICOM. Langley has served in Afghanistan, Somalia, and Japan.
