Somalia/Somaliland: Text of US AFRICOM Commander's Interview

 This is the full text of the interview by Omar Faruk Osman, Secretary-General of the National Union of Somali Journalists, with General Dagvin R.M. Anderson, the Commander of U.S. Africa Command in Mogadishu and posted on 31 July 2026.

Most of the interview focuses on US-Somali cooperation in combatting al-Shabaab and the Islamic State in Somalia.  This is the interview where General Anderson also said, "there are no plans to build a base in Somaliland" and "U.S. policy is, and remains, the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Somalia.  That has not changed."   

US Steps Up Contact with Somali States and Somaliland

 AEIs Critical Threats Africa File posted on 6 August 2026 an article titled "Somalia" by Michael DeAngelo and Aaryaman Shah.  

The United States is pursuing an increased dual track engagement with local Somali governments in Puntland and Jubaland together with unilaterally independent Somaliland as it continues to recognize the sovereignty of the central Somali government in Mogadishu.  

US AFRICOM Commander Says No Plans for Base in Somaliland

 Somalia Today published an article dated 1 August 2026 titled "AFRICOM Chief Rules Out US Military Base in Somaliland" by Mohamed Bashir.

General Dagvin Anderson, head of the US Africa Command, said in an interview published by the US embassy in Mogadishu on 31 July that "there are no plans to build a base in Somaliland."  He added that "US policy is and remains the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia.  That has not changed."

The United States has maintained contact with Somaliland officials and supported development and security programs in the region without recognizing it as a separate state.  

US Tweaks Security Strategy in Africa

 Business Insider Africa published on 3 July 2026 an article titled "U.S. Military Outlines New Africa Strategy Built on Intelligence, Drones, and Local Forces" by Solomon Ekanem.

Speaking after the 2026 Africa Chiefs of Defense Conference (ACHOD) in Luanda, Angola, from 30 June to 2 July, General Dagvin Anderson, commander of U.S. Africa Command, said the United States is shifting its strategy in Africa to a focus on intelligence sharing, affordable drones, and African led operations instead of relying on large US troop deployments.

For background on ACHOD, see "AFRICOM Hosts Key Defense Conference to Discuss Security Opportunities."

US Counterterrorism Operations in Africa

 Eurasia Review published on 10 June 2026 an article titled "The Head of US Africa Command Testifies before Congress on American Counter-Terrorism Operations in Africa--Analysis" by Daniel Volman, director of the Africa Security Research Project in Washington.

This is a wide-ranging discussion of US efforts to counter terrorism in Africa.  It includes testimony in May before Congress by Dagvin Anderson, Commander of the U.S. Africa Command, and additional comments by other Trump administration officials.  The focus is on terrorist threats in Nigeria, the Sahel, and Somalia.  

US Africa Command Competes with Russia, China, and Terrorist Groups for Influence

 The Washington Examiner published on 20 May 2026 an article titled "US Competing with Russia, China, and Terror Groups for Influence across Africa" by Mike Brest.

Commander of US Africa Command General Dagvin Anderson told the House Armed Services Committee on 19 May that the United States is competing with Russia, China, and terror groups across Africa.  This is being done with a 75 percent reduction in the US regional posture over the past decade, a situation which is compounded by additional drawdowns by our allies.

Guinea: China and the US Compete

 The Atlantic Council published on 24 February 2026 a commentary titled "In Guinea, the US Has a Rare Opportunity to Gain an Edge Over China" by Rose Keravouri and Maureen Farrell.

Recognizing the risks of overreliance on a single external partner and frustrated with Chinese firms' opacity and non-compliance with local requirements, its leadership has signaled a willingness to push back against China's mining domination.

The Trump administration invited President Mamady Doumbouya to Washington in early February and is encouraging the American private sector to invest in mining opportunities in Guinea.  The US is also exploring security cooperation with Guinea, which now offers a good opportunity for increased engagement with the United States.

Chinese Oil Companies in Niger in Line of Fire

 US Africa Command's Africa Defense Forum magazine published on 10 February 2026 an article titled "Rebels Target Niger Junta's Oil Revenue."

The Patriotic Movement for Freedom and Justice is engaged in a campaign to topple the military junta in Niger and restore elected President Mohamed Bazoum.  A significant part of the junta's revenue is generated by the oil pipeline from Niger to Benin.  The China National Petroleum Corporation and its subsidiary West African Oil Pipeline Company constructed the pipeline and continue to be engaged in its operations.  Most of the exported crude goes to China.  

China's involvement in the project has put Chinese oil companies in harm's way.  Beijing now seeks to find a way to protect both its investment and personnel still involved in the project from attacks by the Patriotic Movement for Freedom and Justice.    

US Ramps Up Airstrikes in Somalia

 Semafor published on 2 February 2026 an article titled "View/Why US Airstrikes in Somalia Are Reaching Record Levels under Trump" by Tomi Oladipo.  

The second Trump administration has launched 144 airstrikes so far against al-Shabaab and the Islamic State in Somalia.  That is more than half the number during all of Trump's first term.  

Africa and the Trump Administration

 AllAfrica.com posted on 23 October 2025 a commentary titled "Africa Should Not Expect Much from Donald Trump" by Johnnie Carson, Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs during the Obama administration.  

Carson looks back and forwards, concluding that the Trump administration will be minimally engaged in Africa as programs from previous administrations shut down.  

Seeking Strategic Advantage with African Countries

 China-Africa Security Radar published on 6 October 2025 a commentary titled "China's Lavish Pledge: Will $51 Billion Buy Africa's Military Loyalty to Beijing?" by Paa Kwesi Wolseley Prah.

African states are engineering a multipolar security order that serves their interests by refusing to choose among the major powers.  They are exploiting great power competition to expand their strategic autonomy.  As a result, China's military training and arms sales translate into access and goodwill, not strategic alignment or exclusive loyalty.  

Countering China's Security Engagement in Africa

 The Atlantic Council published in August 2025 a paper titled "Addressing China's Military Expansion in West Africa and Beyond" by Tressa Guenov.

The United States needs to develop a strategic approach to Africa that addresses all Chinese security-related initiatives on the continent.  This is not the time for Washington to be pushing back from a region as important as Africa.

China-US Competition in Africa

 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.  

US Steps Up Airstrikes in Somalia

 The CTC Sentinel published in its July 2025 edition an analysis titled "The Escalation of U.S. Airstrikes in Somalia and the Role of Perceived Threats to the U.S. Homeland" by David Sterman.

In 2025, the United States significantly increased the pace of airstrikes against the Islamic State and al-Qaeda-affiliated al-Shabaab in Somalia. The rationale was a perceived heightened threat of jihadi activity in the homeland by one or both of these groups.  

Proposed Head of US AFRICOM Appears before Senate

 The U.S. Department of Defense posted on 22 July 2025 a press release titled "China, Russia, Terrorist Networks Destabilizing Africa" by David Vergun.

Air Force Lt. General Dagvin R.M. Anderson, who is being considered as the new commander of U.S. Africa Command, appeared before the Senate Committe on Armed Services.  He expressed concerns that Chinese and Russian efforts to increase influence in Africa could threaten U,S. national security.

Chinese and American Military Cooperation with Africa

 The South China Morning Post published on 7 June 2025 an article titled "China's Increased Training of African Military, Arms Sales and Aid 'Concerns' US" by Jevans Nyabiage.

The United States is becoming increasingly concerned at the increase in military training that China is offering to African military personnel.  Coupled with growing Chinese arms sales and other military to military cooperation, it suggests Beijing has become more involved in African security issues.  

A Smarter "America First" Policy for Africa

 Foreign Policy published on 19 May 2025 a commentary titled "The 'America First' Case for U.S. Engagement in Africa" by Curtis Bell and Christopher Faulkner, both at the U.S. Naval War College.

Instead of retreating from Africa, the Trump administration should embrace a smarter form of transactionalism.  The authors argue that US policy toward Africa should refocus around four strategic priorities: supporting resilient and self-sufficient regional organizations; curbing threats to US security at their source; fostering African support for US positions in international institutions; and co-developing a positive economic vision for the continent that promotes economic development and integration while resisting extractive and abusive economic practices of rival global powers.

Will China and Russia Save U.S. AFRICOM?

 The China Global South Project published on 2 April 2025 a commentary titled "U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) on the Chopping Block: Can China Save It Again?" by Christian Geraud Neema Byamungu.

Some officials in the Trump administration do not believe Africa warrants a separate military command and want to put it back under the European Command.  Others argue this will only create new openings for adversaries like Russia and China.  The latter argument saved AFRICOM in the first Trump administration.  Will it do so again?

Video Panel Discussion on China's Military Strategy

 The US Command and General Staff College in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, hosted on 13 March 2025 a two-hour panel discussion titled "What Is China's Military Strategy--Is It for Global Power Projection?"

The panelists included Dr. Barry M. Stentiford, U.S. Army School of Advanced Military Studies; Lt. Col. Samuel Short, Australian Army, U.S. Army Command and General Staff College; and me.  Each panelist opened with 10-minute comments.  Most of the session was Q & A.  The focus was China's security relations with Africa, China-Thailand relations, and military strategy and reform of the PLA.  

Trump Administration Considers Merging US Africa Command into European Command

 Micro Soft Network (MSN) published on 25 February 2025 an article titled "President Trump's Plan to Dismantle U.S. Africa Command Under Review" by Victor Oluwole.  

The Trump administration is considering an executive action to dismantle the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) and transfer its responsibilities to the U.S. European Command (EUCOM).  This was the organizational structure prior to 2007, although the primary goal now seems to be a desire to eliminate the command in order to downsize engagement in Africa.