posted 27th May 2025
African Chiefs of Defense Conference in Nairobi Raises Questions About AFRICOM’s Role in Africa
Nairobi, Kenya – Preparations for the 2025 African Chiefs of Defense Conference in Nairobi are in full swing, with U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) Commander General Michael Langley joining Kenyan General Kahariri for a walkthrough to finalise arrangements. Co-hosted by AFRICOM and Kenya, the conference aims to unite military leaders from 37 African nations to counter transnational threats and strengthen regional partnerships, according to a recent AFRICOM statement on X. However, AFRICOM’s growing presence in Africa, including its network of military bases, and General Langley’s recent criticisms of Burkina Faso’s leader, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, have sparked concerns about the United States’ true intentions on the continent.
The conference, billed as a platform for collaboration, comes amid increasing scrutiny of AFRICOM’s role in African security. Critics argue that AFRICOM, established in 2007, primarily serves American strategic interests rather than fostering genuine African-led security solutions. The U.S. maintains a network of military bases and outposts across Africa, including a significant presence in Djibouti (Camp Lemonnier), Niger, and Kenya, among others. These bases, often justified as necessary for counterterrorism operations against groups like al-Qaeda and ISIS, are seen by some as tools for projecting American influence, securing access to Africa’s natural resources, and countering the growing presence of rivals like China and Russia. For instance, Burkina Faso’s gold reserves, a key economic asset, have been a point of contention, with critics alleging that Western powers, including the U.S., seek to maintain control over such resources through military and economic leverage.
Sceptics question why the U.S. needs a sprawling military footprint in Africa when many African nations are capable of addressing their own security challenges. The presence of American bases has been linked to increased local tensions, with some communities viewing them as symbols of neocolonialism. In Burkina Faso, for example, public sentiment has turned against Western military involvement, particularly after the country expelled French forces in 2023 and deepened ties with Russia. This shift has placed AFRICOM in a challenging position, as African nations increasingly demand sovereignty over their security and resources.
General Langley’s recent criticisms of Burkina Faso’s military leader, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, have further fuelled tensions. In remarks reported on 27 May 2025, Langley accused Traoré of underspending on anti-terror efforts, claiming that Burkina Faso’s government has failed to adequately address the growing threat of ISIS-affiliated groups in West Africa. Earlier, in April 2025, Langley told a U.S. Senate hearing that Traoré was “using the country’s gold reserves for personal protection rather than for the benefit of its people,” a statement that prompted a sharp rebuke from Burkina Faso’s Foreign Minister, Karamoko Jean Marie Traoré. Critics argue that Langley’s attacks are less about genuine concern for Burkina Faso’s security and more about punishing Traoré for his anti-imperialist stance and pivot towards Russia, which includes a $500 million gold permit deal. Traoré, often compared to revolutionary icon Thomas Sankara, has prioritised self-reliance, investing in housing, infrastructure, and a gold refinery to reduce dependence on foreign powers.
Burkina Faso’s government and its supporters have accused the U.S. of undermining African leadership. In a May 2025 interview with Sputnik Afrique, Traoré called out AFRICOM, urging it to “stop using Black people against Black people,” a statement that resonated with those who view Langley’s criticisms as part of a broader campaign to destabilise leaders who challenge Western dominance. Reports of a coup attempt in Burkina Faso in April 2025, shortly after Langley’s Senate testimony, have further raised suspicions of external interference, though no direct evidence links AFRICOM to the plot.
The Nairobi conference, while framed as a collaborative effort, risks being overshadowed by these controversies. AFRICOM’s insistence on leading security discussions, coupled with its criticisms of African leaders like Traoré, has led some to question whether the U.S. is genuinely interested in partnership or merely seeking to maintain its geopolitical dominance. As African nations navigate complex security challenges, from jihadist attacks to economic inequality, the presence of foreign military bases and the motives behind them remain contentious issues.
