The Commander of U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), General Dagvin R.M. Anderson, and the Command Senior Enlisted Leader, Sergeant Major Garric M. Banfield, underscored the United States’ commitment to shared security, counterterrorism cooperation, and economic stability across Africa during a digital press briefing hosted by the U.S. State Department’s Africa Regional Media Hub on Tuesday.
The on-the-record briefing, the first of 2026, brought together journalists from across Africa and beyond and focused on AFRICOM’s priorities, evolving security challenges, and partnerships across the continent.
Strengthening Partnerships Through Engagement
General Anderson, who assumed command of AFRICOM in August 2025, emphasized the importance of sustained engagement with African partners and listening to regional perspectives.
“I am very happy to be back working in Africa,” Anderson said, noting his prior experience as commander of Special Operations Command, Africa. “These first months have been about traveling, listening to our partners, understanding their concerns, and identifying where we can work together most effectively.”
General Anderson and Sergeant Major Banfield recently returned from a joint visit to Ethiopia, Kenya, and Djibouti with U.S. Deputy Secretary of State, Christopher Landau. The trip highlighted the intersection of security, economic development, and long-term stability.
In Ethiopia, Anderson attended the Black Lion Air Show, marking the 90th anniversary of the Ethiopian Air Force, and reflected on the long history of U.S.–Ethiopian cooperation.
In Kenya, he participated in a groundbreaking ceremony at Manda Bay for a jointly funded runway project supporting both security operations and regional economic development. The delegation also engaged with leaders at the African Union, reinforcing the importance of multilateral cooperation and shared sacrifice in maintaining peace and stability.
Addressing Terrorism and Emerging Threats
AFRICOM leaders highlighted growing security challenges across the continent, including threats from ISIS, al-Qaida, al-Shabaab, and affiliated networks in East, West, and North Africa.
General Anderson stressed that counterterrorism efforts must be collaborative and regionally driven.
He pointed to enhanced cooperation with Somalia, including U.S. airstrikes conducted at the request of Somali partners, which have supported operations against ISIS elements in Puntland’s Golis Mountains. According to Anderson, these strikes have enabled Somali forces to hold terrain, disrupt extremist leadership, and sustain pressure on terrorist networks.
Beyond air operations, AFRICOM is expanding efforts in maritime domain awareness to counter illicit trafficking, piracy, illegal fishing, and weapons smuggling—particularly in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, and along Africa’s extensive coastlines.
Multinational Exercises and Interoperability
General Anderson outlined AFRICOM’s major 2026 multinational exercises, which bring together African, European, Indo-Pacific, Middle Eastern, and South American partners to address shared security challenges:
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African Lion, AFRICOM’s largest annual exercise, hosted by Morocco in May, with additional regional “spokes” in Tunisia, Ghana, and Senegal, involving 19 African nations and multiple international partners.
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Cutlass Express, focused on maritime security in East Africa, connecting maritime operations centers across the region.
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Justified Accord, led from Kenya with participation from African and European partners.
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Flintlock, a special operations-focused exercise hosted by Côte d’Ivoire with a spoke in Libya, bringing together 26 African nations and numerous international partners to strengthen counterterrorism capabilities and interoperability.
Sergeant Major Banfield emphasized the importance of these exercises in building trust and operational effectiveness.
“Multinational operations are complex,” Banfield said. “Exercises like Flintlock help us learn how to operate together, understand each other, and build lasting professional relationships.”
Innovation, Stability, and Economic Opportunity
Both leaders highlighted AFRICOM’s increasing focus on innovation and emerging technologies, describing security cooperation as a two-way exchange in which U.S. forces both share capabilities and learn from African partners.
General Anderson also stressed the growing emphasis on aligning security, economic investment, and development, noting that stability creates conditions for prosperity.
“Security leads to stability, stability creates opportunities for investment, and those investments lead to prosperity for all of us,” he said.
He cited initiatives such as the Lobito Corridor and other regional infrastructure projects as examples of how coordinated security and economic efforts can have long-term impact.
Commitment to African Partners
Closing the briefing, both leaders reaffirmed AFRICOM’s readiness to work with willing partners to address shared challenges.
“We are honored to work alongside our African partners,” Sergeant Major Banfield said. “A secure environment enables stability, and stability enables growth and prosperity.”
General Anderson echoed that message, emphasizing optimism about Africa’s future.
“There are significant challenges, but there are also tremendous opportunities across the continent,” he said. “We look forward to continuing these conversations and working together to build a more secure and prosperous future.”
