Focus on Africa Is the US deepening military cooperation with Africa?
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Feb 11, 2026 Charles Gitonga, seasoned journalist and interviewer, speaks with Lieutenant General John Brennan, Deputy Commander of US Africa Command, about rising ISIS activity and recruitment across Africa. They discuss increasing US military cooperation with countries like Nigeria, Kenya, Somalia and Mali. The conversation also covers airstrikes, partner training, runway investments and concerns about regional militant links.
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Stop External Arms Transfers To Militants
- Prevent advanced weapon transfers to al-Shabaab by blocking external suppliers like the Houthis.
- Train and equip partners to contain Al-Shabaab while enabling Somali institutions to lead operations.
Civilian Casualties And Information Warfare
- AFRICOM stresses transparency on civilian casualty claims and adherence to the law of armed conflict.
- Militants often falsely claim casualties and use civilians as human shields, complicating strike assessments.
Expand Airfield Capacity For Flexible Operations
- Upgrade bases like Manda Bay to host longer-runway aircraft and increase operational options.
- Expand runway and partner access so Kenyan and U.S. forces can deploy more capable aircraft when needed.