General Michael Langley, head of U.S. Africa Command, has raised alarms about the growing threat posed by terrorist groups in the Sahel region of Africa, a region that has become a critical flashpoint for global terrorism. The general highlighted that these groups, including Al-Qaeda-linked factions and ISIS affiliates, are expanding their capabilities and may now pose a direct threat to the United States. Langley emphasized that the Sahel has become the epicenter of terrorism, with significant growth in groups like Al-Qaeda in the Lands of the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), which has tripled in size since 2022. This expansion has led to increased instability in countries like Mali, Burk, and Niger, where U.S. military presence has recently declined.
Langley also stressed the importance of monitoring these groups’ potential access to the West African coast, which could enhance their ability to fund and execute attacks on American soil. He noted that these groups often engage in illicit activities such as smuggling and human trafficking to sustain their operations. Additionally, he mentioned the U.S. is competing with China and Russia for influence in the region, with concerns about African nations sending soldiers to China for military training that could replicate U.S. programs. Langley underscored that the threat is not just regional but has global implications, with potential for these groups to evolve their tactics and diversify their revenue streams. The expansion of these terrorist networks poses a significant challenge to both regional stability and U.S. national security, requiring a coordinated international response to mitigate the risks effectively.