United States Africa Command

United States Africa Command
Unit name	United States Africa Command
Caption	Emblem of United States Africa Command
Dates	Established 1 October 2007; became operational 1 October 2008
Country	United States
Branch	Unified combatant command
Command structure	United States Department of Defense
Garrison	Kelley Barracks, Stuttgart, Germany
Garrison label	Headquarters
Nickname	AFRICOM
Motto	"Stronger Together"
Current commander	General Michael E. Langley, United States Marine Corps
Current commander label	Commander
Notable commanders	General Carter F. Ham, General David M. Rodriguez, General Thomas D. Waldhauser, General Stephen J. Townsend

United States Africa Command is one of the eleven unified combatant commands of the United States Department of Defense. It is responsible for all United States Armed Forces operations and military relations across the continent of Africa, excluding Egypt. Established to consolidate efforts previously divided among United States European Command, United States Central Command, and United States Pacific Command, its headquarters are located at Kelley Barracks in Stuttgart, Germany.

History

The command was formally established on 1 October 2007 by order of President George W. Bush, following recommendations from the United States Department of Defense to streamline security cooperation on a continent of growing strategic importance. It became fully operational on 1 October 2008 under its first commander, General William E. Ward. Its creation was influenced by post-September 11 attacks security concerns, including the threat from transnational terrorist groups like al-Qaeda and the need to address regional instability. Initial plans to locate its headquarters on the African continent, potentially in Liberia or Botswana, were abandoned due to diplomatic sensitivities, leading to the selection of the permanent site in Germany.

Mission and responsibilities

Its primary mission is to protect and defend the national security interests of the United States by strengthening the defense capabilities of African Union member states and regional organizations. This is achieved through military-to-military partnerships, security force assistance, and conducting military operations to counter violent extremist organizations. Key responsibilities include supporting U.S. diplomatic missions, providing humanitarian assistance during disasters, and contributing to multinational peacekeeping efforts such as those led by the United Nations. The command works closely with the United States Department of State and the United States Agency for International Development under a whole-of-government approach.

Organization and structure

The command is led by a four-star general or admiral, currently General Michael E. Langley of the United States Marine Corps. Its deputy commander is a civilian from the United States Department of State, emphasizing the diplomatic dimension of its work. Subordinate components include United States Army Africa, United States Naval Forces Europe and Africa, United States Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa, and United States Marine Corps Forces, Africa. Key enabling elements are the Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa based at Camp Lemonnier in Djibouti and the United States Special Operations Command Africa. Staff sections integrate personnel from the United States Coast Guard and allied nations.

Area of responsibility

Its area of responsibility encompasses the entire continent of Africa (53 nations) except for Egypt, which remains under United States Central Command. This vast region includes island nations such as Cape Verde, Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius, São Tomé and Príncipe, and Seychelles. It borders the areas of responsibility of United States European Command to the north, United States Central Command to the northeast, and United States Strategic Command and United States Space Command globally. The command monitors strategic waterways including the Gulf of Guinea, the Strait of Gibraltar, and the Mozambique Channel.

Operations and activities

The command conducts a wide range of military activities, focused on building partner capacity through exercises like Flintlock and African Lion. It provides critical support to counter-terrorism operations against groups such as al-Shabaab in Somalia, Islamic State affiliates in the Sahel and Libya, and Boko Haram in the Lake Chad Basin. Notable kinetic operations include airstrikes in support of the Federal Government of Somalia and the 2017 raid in Niger that resulted in the deaths of United States Army soldiers. Non-kinetic efforts include medical readiness exercises, disaster response coordination, and professional military education programs.

Criticism and controversies

The command has faced significant criticism from some African governments, scholars, and civil society groups who view its presence as a form of neocolonialism and militarization of the continent. Its initial establishment was met with skepticism by nations including South Africa, Libya under Muammar Gaddafi, and Nigeria. Specific controversies include civilian casualty allegations from airstrikes in Somalia, the lack of transparency surrounding the network of Cooperative Security Locations across the continent, and the 2017 Tongo Tongo ambush in Niger which highlighted the risks of advisory missions. Critics also argue its activities can undermine regional diplomatic initiatives and sovereignty.

Category:Unified combatant commands of the United States Department of Defense Category:Military of the United States Category:2007 establishments in the United States