This analysis provides a comprehensive examination of U.S. Marine Corps General Michael E. Langley, the Commanding General of U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM). Under his guidance, AFRICOM has evolved as he tries to address not only immediate military threats but also broader security issues. His official travel engagements emphasize defense diplomacy to foster long-term, mutually respectful relationships between the United States and African countries.
I. General Langley’s Vision and Philosophy
General Langley’s leadership is defined by adaptability, defense diplomacy, and an emphasis on fostering sustainable African security infrastructure. He champions a “whole-of-government” approach that integrates defense, diplomacy, and development to confront Africa’s complex security challenges, including terrorism, maritime security, and governance instability. As the sixth commander of AFRICOM, Langley’s vision extends beyond the traditional role of a military leader. He promotes African countries taking the lead in their own security while AFRICOM plays a supporting role, facilitating capacity-building through training, logistical support, and defense partnerships.
II. From Sahara to Savanna: Defense diplomacy in action
One of the most critical facets of Langley’s leadership is his execution of “defense diplomacy.” Defense diplomacy is a concept one academic has defined as the “employment, without duress, in time of peace of the resources of defense to achieve specific national goals, primarily through relationships with others” (Sanz Roldán 2000). General Langley’s official travels across Africa show his commitment to building these strategic relationships with African countries. His frequent diplomatic engagements have taken him to countries like Niger, Somalia, Kenya, Senegal, and Tunisia, where he discusses counterterrorism, regional stability, and maritime security. These meetings are instrumental in advancing AFRICOM’s mission of creating sustainable security solutions in collaboration with local leaders.
III. Strategic Distribution of General Langley’s Official Travel
Figure 2: General Michael E. Langley’s Visits to Africa, by Years 2022, 2023, and part of 2024. Data source: U.S. Africa Command.
Langley’s travel itinerary reveals a deliberate and strategic approach to balancing U.S. objectives with the needs of African countries. His visits span the continent, with a strong focus on West Africa (33.3%) due to its ongoing battles with violent extremism, followed closely by North Africa (27.3%) and East Africa (27.3%), see Figure 3 below. Notable countries like Ghana and Senegal have become key partners in maritime security, reflecting AFRICOM’s broader mission of addressing economic and governance issues that affect regional stability. The consistent engagement in countries like Somalia and Kenya underscores AFRICOM’s deep involvement in counterterrorism efforts against groups like Al-Shabaab. The regional distribution also reflects AFRICOM’s engagement in Southern Africa, as shown by visits to countries like Botswana in 2024.
Figure 3: Distribution of General Michael E. Langley’s Visits to Africa, for the years 2022, 2023, and part of 2024. Data source: U.S. Africa Command.
IV. Case Studies: Diplomatic Successes in Niger, Somalia, and Senegal
- Somalia and Kenya (2023): General Langley’s visits highlighted AFRICOM’s ongoing support for African-led counterterrorism initiatives. By reinforcing local efforts with U.S. support, AFRICOM enables countries like Somalia and Kenya to take charge of their own security. This balance of support reflects the essence of defense diplomacy.
- Ghana and Senegal (2023): In West Africa, his leadership has shifted focus toward maritime security, particularly addressing the growing threat of illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. These discussions emphasize AFRICOM’s role in safeguarding not just security but also economic stability along the West African coastline.
V. AFRICOM’s evolving role beyond kinetic operations
While AFRICOM is traditionally seen as a military organization, Langley has implemented a mission that appears somewhat changed—a balance between military operations, diplomatic engagements, and AFRICOM’s evolving non-military role. His implementation includes humanitarian and disaster relief efforts. For example, when climate-related disasters like floods hit Libya, AFRICOM was quick to coordinate with USAID and local governments to support aid. These efforts highlight the command’s flexibility and Langley’s understanding that security is intertwined with governance and economic development.
VI. Recommendations for AFRICOM and the U.S. Congress
To continue advancing AFRICOM’s mission, General Langley emphasizes the need for increased resources. Congress should enhance funding to enable diplomatic engagements and crisis responses that will allow African countriess to develop their own capabilities. AFRICOM must also counter rising influence from China and Russia, which are expanding their geopolitical presence in Africa.
AFRICOM’s contributions under General Langley’s leadership—from counterterrorism efforts in East Africa to capacity-building in West Africa—represent a multi-faceted strategy that supports U.S. interests while respecting African sovereignty. The defense diplomacy model carried out by General Langely, offers a blueprint for future engagements, supporting African countries to take the lead in their own security.
