Trump Names New Head of US Africa Command

Former President **Donald Trump** has appointed Air Force Lt. Gen. **Dagvin R.M. Anderson** to lead the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM). This strategic shift highlights a continued commitment to U.S. military presence and partnerships across the African continent, amidst growing global interest in the region.

New Leadership

Replacing Marine General **Michael Langley**, whose tenure concludes soon, **Anderson** currently directs Joint Force Development for the Joint Staff at the Pentagon. General **Langley** made history in 2022 as the inaugural Black four-star general within the U.S. Marine Corps and the first African American to command AFRICOM.

The new appointment indicates **Trump’s** determination to preserve AFRICOM’s status as an independent combatant command. This is happening amid debates within Washington concerning its significance and future role.

Geopolitical Landscape

Maintaining AFRICOM’s independence, according to many analysts, reflects a clear U.S. commitment to security and diplomatic engagement throughout Africa, given the continent’s growing geopolitical importance and increasing involvement by China, Russia, and Middle Eastern nations.

AFRICOM’s Sahel Challenges

AFRICOM plays a crucial role in U.S. military operations across Africa, including counterterrorism efforts, military training, and regional stability initiatives. The command has faced recent scrutiny and geopolitical controversy, especially regarding its stance on the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), composed of nations like Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, who have moved towards military-led governance.

Though **Langley** maintained that AFRICOM’s mission isn’t to dictate political transitions but to counter terrorism, his remarks have drawn attention. He specifically noted the rise in terrorist activity in the Sahel, linking it to external actors taking advantage of regional instability. He cited Burkina Faso, highlighting extremist groups gaining control of mines and vital black-market gold routes.

“Terrorist groups are financing operations through illicit gold trade.”

—**Michael Langley**, Former AFRICOM Commander

These developments hinder regional stability and pose long-term risks to both African and U.S. security interests, according to **Langley**. These comments were interpreted by some as criticism of the military regimes in the AES bloc, which have expelled Western forces and invited Russian or regional military support.

As AFRICOM transitions leadership, **Langley’s** warnings about terrorist financing and political isolation in the Sahel emphasize the complex security challenges the incoming commander will inherit. In 2023, the number of violent events in the Sahel increased by 25% compared to the previous year, reflecting the escalating instability (Council on Foreign Relations).