MWE Correspondent
For more than two decades, the United States has invested billions of dollars in military operations, counterterrorism campaigns and security partnerships across Africa, yet a growing number of analysts are questioning whether Washington’s strategy has delivered lasting stability or whether it has failed to address the deeper causes behind the continent’s persistent conflicts.
The debate over America’s role in Africa has intensified as insecurity continues to spread across several regions despite years of military cooperation between Washington and African governments. From the Horn of Africa to the Sahel and the Great Lakes region, violent extremism, political instability and humanitarian crises remain major challenges, raising questions about the effectiveness of a security-focused approach.
The creation of the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) in 2007 marked a major shift in American engagement with the continent. The command was designed to coordinate U.S. military activities, strengthen partnerships with African security forces and support efforts against terrorism.
However, critics argue that the strategy placed too much emphasis on military solutions while paying insufficient attention to the underlying drivers of instability, including poverty, unemployment, weak governance, corruption and political exclusion.
The establishment of AFRICOM itself generated debate among some African leaders and policymakers. The decision to create a dedicated U.S. military command for Africa was viewed by some as an attempt by Washington to expand its strategic influence on the continent rather than build a partnership based primarily on African priorities.
More than 15 years later, several regions where the United States has maintained significant security involvement continue to face serious instability.
In Somalia, despite years of American support, intelligence cooperation and military operations against extremist groups, Al-Shabaab remains an active threat capable of carrying out deadly attacks. The group has survived repeated military campaigns and continues to challenge the authority of the Somali government.
In the Sahel region, including Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, insecurity has expanded in recent years as armed groups linked to extremist movements have gained ground. Several governments in the region have also reduced or ended military cooperation with Western partners, including France and other international allies, while seeking alternative security arrangements.
Libya represents another major challenge. Following the 2011 NATO-backed intervention that led to the removal of longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi, the country entered a prolonged period of political fragmentation, armed conflict and institutional weakness. The instability contributed to the spread of weapons and militant networks across parts of North Africa and the Sahel.
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In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), international efforts to support peace and stability have struggled to end decades of conflict in the eastern part of the country. Armed groups continue to operate in mineral-rich areas, displacing communities and creating one of Africa’s longest-running humanitarian crises.
The DRC also highlights the connection between security and economic interests. The country possesses some of the world’s largest reserves of cobalt, copper and other strategic minerals essential for modern technologies, including electric vehicles, renewable energy systems and advanced electronics.
As global competition with China and Russia increases, Africa’s natural resources have become increasingly important in Washington’s strategic calculations. Critics argue that security partnerships are sometimes closely linked with broader economic and geopolitical interests.
The U.S. National Security Strategy of 2025, built around the principle of protecting American interests and global influence, has reinforced concerns among some observers that Africa is increasingly viewed through the lens of great-power competition rather than solely as a partner in development.
China, meanwhile, has expanded its influence through large-scale infrastructure investments, including railways, ports, roads, energy projects and industrial development. Through initiatives such as the Belt and Road Initiative, Beijing has positioned itself as a major economic partner for many African nations.
Supporters of China’s approach argue that infrastructure development has addressed critical needs across the continent. However, critics have also raised concerns about debt sustainability, transparency and long-term economic dependence.
The competition between Washington and Beijing has created a new strategic environment in Africa, where governments are increasingly seeking partnerships that provide tangible economic benefits while protecting national sovereignty.
Some African countries have expressed caution toward certain security agreements, fearing that they could pull them into geopolitical rivalries between powerful nations. They argue that Africa’s challenges require solutions focused on economic transformation, education, employment and stronger institutions.
Despite criticism, the United States has also played a role in supporting humanitarian programs, training security forces and assisting African governments in combating extremist threats. Washington maintains that its engagement contributes to regional stability and supports African-led security efforts.
However, the continuing spread of conflicts has raised difficult questions about whether military cooperation alone can solve Africa’s security challenges.
Many analysts argue that lasting peace cannot be achieved through military bases, weapons and security alliances alone. They say sustainable stability requires investment in economic opportunities, youth employment, accountable governance and institutions capable of addressing citizens’ needs.
As Africa becomes increasingly important in global politics due to its population, markets and natural resources, the future of American influence on the continent will depend on whether Washington can adapt its approach.
The question facing the United States is no longer simply whether it can project military power in Africa, but whether it can build partnerships based on mutual interests, respect for African priorities and long-term development.
Without such a shift, analysts warn, Washington risks losing influence as African nations increasingly explore new partnerships with emerging global powers. The next chapter of America’s relationship with Africa may therefore be determined not by the size of its security presence, but by its ability to deliver meaningful and sustainable cooperation.
