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US says it will return to Chad for talks to keep troops in the country

The U.S. said last month it was withdrawing most of its 100 troops from Chad after the government questioned the legality of their operations.

By Francis Kokutse, The Associated Press

27 hours ago

The US military will begin plans to withdraw troops from Niger

U.S. officials said that they will begin to withdraw troops from Niger but there is no timeline.

11 days ago

France, West African leaders discuss fighting extremism

French and West African heads of state began a two-day summit Monday on the fight against Islamic extremists in Africa’s Sahel region.

3 years ago

Esper signs 10-year US military cooperation deal with Morocco

Morocco is a major non-NATO ally of the United States.

4 years ago

Why the US should spend 0.3 percent of its defense budget to prevent an African debacle

A small U.S. military investment in Africa provides the support of allies and partners, counterterrorism cooperation, and enough security to use American soft power, says the author of this commentary.

By Katherine Zimmerman

4 years ago

Efforts to combat violent extremist groups in Sahel region are ‘not getting the job done,’ says AFRICOM leader

“I do believe that if ISIS can carve out a new caliphate, or al-Qaida can, they will attempt to do it in West Africa,” U.S. Africa Command commander Army Gen. Stephen Townsend said.

By Diana Stancy

4 years ago

Al-Qaida, ISIS affiliates team up in West Africa, says US Special Operations Command Africa leader

The only place in the world where fighters linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State group are cooperating is in West Africa’s sprawling Sahel region, giving the extremists greater depth as they push into new areas, according to the commander of the U.S. military’s special forces in Africa.

4 years ago

Special operations forces kick off international exercise in the Sahel, the ‘tinderbox of terrorist activity’

The U.S. and 30 other countries will have an opportunity to hone their intelligence-sharing skills at Flintlock, an annual military exercise that gets underway Feb. 17.

By Diana Stancy

4 years ago

Allies worry as US ponders cutting military forces in Africa

As extremist violence grows across Africa, the United States is considering reducing its military presence on the continent, a move that worries its international partners who are working to strengthen the fight in the tumultuous Sahel region.

4 years ago

18 years after Sept. 11, the terror threat remains

With their continuing aspirations to attack U.S. interests, countering violent extremist organizations in Africa remains vital to our national security.

By Col. Chris Karns

5 years ago

Marine Raider who earned Silver Star for heroism during Mali hotel attack now on Capitol Hill

Marine Raider Master Sgt. Jarad Stout was awarded the Silver Star for his heroic actions in rescuing hostages during the 2015 terrorist attack on the Radisson Blu hotel in Bamako, Mali.

By Shawn Snow

5 years ago

Should AFRICOM be holding an exercise in this country with a spotty security and human rights record?

More than 2,000 troops from 34 African and Western partner nations will participate in Flintlock 2019 at multiple locations in Burkina Faso, with an outstation in Mauritania, between Feb. 18 and Mar. 1.

By Kyle Rempfer

5 years ago