US military commander in Africa vows to deter ‘malign’ Chinese, Russian influence on continent

The head of the US military’s Africa Command (USAFRICOM) has pledged to deter Chinese and Russian influence and what he described as a growing threat from terrorist organizations on the continent.

General Michael Langley claims Moscow and Beijing are exploiting Africa as a stepping stone in the fight for global dominance, and indicated that recent airstrikes against Al-Shabaab in Somalia, which were complemented by strikes from the Ethiopian Air Force, are part of defending US interests.

He made the comments while giving testimony to the US Senate Armed Services Committee on Thursday, accompanied by General Christopher Cavoli, head of the US European Command.

Both officers stated that deterring threats from China, Russia, and terrorist groups are their top priority. They told US senators the void left by the US in Africa has allowed Beijing, Moscow, and terrorist organizations to gain a foothold on the continent.

He said USAFRICOM engagement in Africa is crucial for countering threats to the US, while at the same time strengthening partnerships and promoting stability.

“My priorities are fighting terrorism, and deterring China and Russia,” said Langley.

Questioned over potential command consolidation, Langley noted terrorism’s rise from two percent to 43 percent of global activity since 2007. Cavoli highlighted Africa’s growing challenges, reinforcing the need for specialized, lethal commands to maintain peace through strength.

Langley emphasized links between Al-Shabaab and other terrorist networks in Africa and abroad, including Al-Qaeda and IS in Yemen as a threat to US security.

“They have a direct threat on the homeland, whether it is their network or ideology. They are indoctrinated by this false ideology of Islam. I am working with NATO bases in Africa in Morocco, Algeria and Libya to deny the militarization of Africa,” said Langley.

He called for efforts to strengthen Somalia’s national security.

Langley also made claims about China’s desire for influence.

“They want to be the global hegemon now. Chairman Xi [Jinping] has put out a 2049 plan, but they want to get there earlier. Therein lies the importance that we engage and show assertive action. But we just harbor the facts, we don’t own the narrative. That’s being drowned out by the CCP and their campaign plans to influence civil society; influence the militaries,” he told the Committee.

Langley said China is leveraging military bases and geoeconomic interests, such as critical mineral extraction deals, to gain a political advantage over the West.

“They need the critical minerals for their military and greater industrial bases. We are closely watching those lines, because they want to be a global hegemon,” he said.

Cavoli told the Committee that challenges in Africa have increased exponentially over the past decade in terms of growing influence from Russia and China.

“There are a lot of problems there,” he said.

China is “trying to replicate” specific USAID programs in Africa cut by the Trump administration, according to Langley.

The Trump administration slashed aid programs under the US Agency for International Development (USAID) as part of an attempt to downsize the US federal government. Eighty-three percent of USAID programs have been cut as a result, according to Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Ethiopia is the top recipient of American aid in Africa.

“There’s a number of programs that we see that the Chinese Communist Party is trying to replicate. They can’t do what we do. They can’t do what we do in PEPFAR, that extended the lifespan of a number of Africans by 20 years,” Langley said, referencing the two-decade-old program known as the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, or PEPFAR, which is credited with saving more than 25 million people.

“They’re trying to replicate that. They’re trying to match what we do. So that’s what we’re seeing as we start to fold in the capabilities of USAID under [the] State Department,” he said. “Those capabilities are needed for the U.S. to maintain a strategic advantage over the Chinese Communist Party.”

Langley also contextualized the Belt and Road initiative as part of China’s advances in Africa, accusing Beijing of complicity in corruption and bribery.

“They also protect regimes. We can see what is happening with Sudan’s RSF and Al-Burhan’s forces. It all comes down to the revenue collected from these areas and China and Russia are complicit in those activities,” he said.

The General stated that Africa can never benefit from the presence of China and Russia.

“In order to protect our homeland and United States interests. We must deter these nations and their malign actors from their goals on the African continent,” he said.

Neither Moscow or Beijing have issued responses to the accusations.

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth signed a memo last month that called for the military to prioritize preparing to win a possible war against China by “assuming risk” in Europe and other parts of the world, according to the Washington Post.

Providing his assessment of the terrorist threat in the region to Committee members, Langley discussed the persistent and growing risk to regional and global security from violent extremists including ISIS, which he said is directing global operations from Somalia and al-Shabaab.

“Left unchecked, they will have a direct effect on the homeland,” he said.

Langley told the Committee that USAFRICOM continues to leverage security cooperation as a primary tool to build operational independence among African partners and promote bilateral and multilateral relationships across the continent.

“As a posture-limited theater, we establish strength and work towards peace by enhancing the security capabilities of our African partners through a robust system of alliances. Exercises, training events, security cooperation, and foreign military sales programs are the backbone of our military activities on the continent,” Langley said.

Langley wrapped up his testimony by underscoring the importance of capabilities such as airborne intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, and counter-unmanned aerial systems in counterterrorism efforts.

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