General Michael Langley, head of U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), has emphasized African nations taking greater responsibility for their own security.
Speaking at the African Lion exercise in Morocco in May 2025, Langley urged Africans to take their own actions when it comes to defense.
According to him, the continent now have to take responsibility of the burden sharing to counter threats like terrorism and regional instability.
This aligns with AFRICOM’s broader strategy of supporting African-led solutions while reducing direct U.S. involvement.
Michael Langley also highlighted the importance of collective exercises like involving over 40 countries, to enhance interoperability.
He believes it will also help address challenges such as violent extremist organizations, without relying solely on U.S. resources.