The Commander of United States Africa Command, Gen Michael Langley, has raised the alarm over growing efforts by extremist groups and terrorists in the Sahel to gain access to West Africa’s coastline.
Describing recent attacks in Nigeria, the wider Sahel, and the Lake Chad Basin as deeply troubling, Langley warned that terrorist access to the coast would significantly boost their capacity for smuggling and arms trafficking.
The Sahel countries of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger is widely regarded as the epicentre of terrorist activity, with insurgent networks linked to ISIS and Al-Qaeda particularly entrenched in Burkina Faso.
According to the 2025 Global Terrorism Index, published by the Institute for Economics and Peace, the Sahel accounted for 19 per cent of all terrorist attacks worldwide and 51 per cent of global terrorism-related deaths in 2024, up from 48 per cent in 2023.
Five of the 10 countries most affected by terrorism are in the Sahel.
Langley, who spoke during a press conference at the weekend, said the US was increasingly concerned that a coastal incursion would not only endanger African nations but also raise the threat level to American interests.
“Attacks are resurging in the Lake Chad region as well, and extremist groups are growing more aggressive. The recent attacks in Nigeria and across the Sahel are deeply concerning.
“The scale and brutality of some of these incidents are troubling. So we’re monitoring this closely.
“One of the terrorists’ new objectives is gaining access to West African coasts. If they secure access to the coastline, they can finance their operations through smuggling, human trafficking, and arms trading.
“This puts not just African nations at risk, but also increases the chance of threats reaching the US shores,” Langley stated.
He stated this while addressing journalists at the African Chiefs of Defence Conference held in Nairobi, Kenya, from May 28 to 29, 2025.
The event brought together senior military leaders from 37 African nations alongside US defence officials.
Langley urged frontline coastal states such as Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, and Benin to hold firm along their northern borders to prevent terrorist infiltration.
He noted that the US stood in support of its coastal partners, saying, “That’s why our coastal partners – Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, and Benin – are fighting fiercely along their northern borders to prevent terrorist expansion, and US AFRICOM is standing with them.”
Langley acknowledged that the partial withdrawal of US forces from parts of Africa had constrained America’s ability to monitor and respond to terrorist activity as closely as before.
He, however, emphasised US’ continued commitment to counterterrorism partnerships, while respecting national sovereignty.
“We respect nation sovereignty and only go where we’re asked as long as it aligns with U.S. national security objectives,” he said.
Langley recalled his visit to Nigeria in November 2024, noting that it provided a firsthand view of how the US supported Nigerian defence efforts.
“During my visit, I sat with Nigerian defence leaders to understand how we can help. The US acts with its partners—and in Nigeria’s case, we work together to combat Boko Haram and ISIS West Africa in pursuit of regional security,” he said.
“We are committed to supporting one of the most capable militaries in the region—Nigeria’s. Although our withdrawal has reduced our ability to monitor some developments directly, we maintain strong liaison and provide support where possible,” he added.