General Michael Langley, Commander of the United States Africa Command, has sounded a warning over the increasing efforts of extremist and terrorist groups in the Sahel to penetrate West Africa’s coastal regions. Citing recent attacks in Nigeria, the wider Sahel, and the Lake Chad Basin as alarming, Langley cautioned that terrorist access to the coast would greatly enhance their smuggling and arms trafficking capabilities. The Sahel nations of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger are widely considered the epicentre of terrorist operations, with Burkina Faso particularly overrun by insurgent networks affiliated with ISIS and Al-Qaeda. The 2025 Global Terrorism Index, released by the Institute for Economics and Peace, reports that the Sahel accounted for 19% of all terrorist attacks worldwide and 51% of terrorism-related deaths in 2024—up from 48% the previous year. Five of the world’s ten most terrorism-affected countries are located in the Sahel. Speaking at a weekend press briefing, Langley stressed that a terrorist push toward the coast would pose a serious threat not only to African nations but also to U.S. strategic interests. “Attacks are resurging in the Lake Chad region as well, and extremist groups are growing more aggressive. The recent attacks in Nigeria and across the Sahel are deeply concerning. “The scale and brutality of some of these incidents are troubling. So we’re monitoring this closely. “One of the terrorists’ new objectives is gaining access to West African coasts. If they secure access to the coastline, they can finance their operations through smuggling, human trafficking, and arms trading. “This puts not just African nations at risk, but also increases the chance of threats reaching the US shores,” Langley stated. He stated this while addressing journalists at the African Chiefs of Defence Conference held in Nairobi, Kenya, from May 28 to 29, 2025. The event brought together senior military leaders from 37 African nations alongside US defence officials. Langley urged frontline coastal states such as Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, and Benin to hold firm along their northern borders to prevent terrorist infiltration. He noted that the US stood in support of its coastal partners, saying, “That’s why our coastal partners – Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, and Benin – are fighting fiercely along their northern borders to prevent terrorist expansion, and US AFRICOM is standing with them.” Langley acknowledged that the partial withdrawal of US forces from parts of Africa had constrained America’s ability to monitor and respond to terrorist activity as closely as before. He, however, emphasised US’ continued commitment to counterterrorism partnerships, while respecting national sovereignty. “We respect nation sovereignty and only go where we’re asked as long as it aligns with U.S. national security objectives,” he said. Langley recalled his visit to Nigeria in November 2024, noting that it provided a firsthand view of how the US supported Nigerian defence efforts. “During my visit, I sat with Nigerian defence leaders to understand how we can help. The US acts with its partners—and in Nigeria’s case, we work together to combat Boko Haram and ISIS West Africa in pursuit of regional security,” he said. “We are committed to supporting one of the most capable militaries in the region—Nigeria’s. Although our withdrawal has reduced our ability to monitor some developments directly, we maintain strong liaison and provide support where possible,” he added. Langley also spoke on US efforts to foster dialogue with Burkina Faso, despite strained ties. “The US seeks opportunities to collaborate with Burkina Faso on counterterrorism challenges. I invited Burkina Faso’s chief of defence to the African Chiefs of Defence Conference because I believe in maintaining that dialogue. So it’s still open,” he said.