On Wednesday, the AFRICOM commander held a press stakeout with a team of journalists at the United States Embassy near Monrovia.
By Lewis S. Teh
Monrovia, November 8, 2024: General Michael E. Langley, the Sixth Commander of the US Africa Command of the United States Marines Corps, has vowed to address the challenges and opportunities confronting the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL).
During his first official visit to the country, Gen. Langley said AFRICOM’s approach is on the African continent with the United States partners. It extends to over 53 different countries.
The US Africa Command is one of the seven joint service geographic combatant commands responsible for all US military operations and activities in Africa, protecting and advancing US national interests.
“And I’m honored actually to be able to be here in Liberia, my first visit, and being able to communicate and share ideas and address challenges, but also address opportunities. And that’s pretty much the purpose of my trip here,” Gen. Langley said on Wednesday, November 6, 2024.
On Wednesday, the AFRICOM commander met with a team of journalists at the United States Embassy in a press stakeout.
The US general was quizzed about security measures implemented to maintain the trust of US allies, especially given Russia’s dominance across the region.
In response, the AFRICOM commander admitted that the U.S. sees Russia’s dominance as challenging.
“And we see that as a challenge. Yes, it has been a challenge across the Sahel,” he stated.
“It’s been a challenge in Central Africa and up to Libya. Destabilizing type activities, mainly brought about by misinformation and disinformation,” he explained further.
General Langley disclosed that disinformation and misinformation exacerbate instability.
“You have a representative governance of democracy. As long as that is strengthened and institutionalized, I don’t see it as a challenge to civil society in this country. I can’t say that across the Sahel. They’re learning,” Gen. Langley said.
Next month, Gen. Langley said the United States will lay out those challenges geographically.
For his part, United States Ambassador accredited to Liberia Mark C. Toner said the AFRICOM advances vital U.S. national security interests throughout Africa.
He detailed that AFRICOM does this through focus and sustained engagement with partners on the African continent and in support of shared security objectives.
Accordingly, the U.S. Ambassador said General Langley’s presence in Liberia is a testament to the strong military partnership the U.S. has with the country.
He added that it also represents the U.S. government’s commitment to reinforcing its shared security interests and relationships with key partners.
The U.S. envoy disclosed that the general has had constructive meetings today and that he’ll discuss the situation in greater detail with President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, the Minister of Defense, and a range of defense and military leaders here.
“These meetings were a valuable opportunity to reinforce our strong military partnership and gain perspective on various regional security issues.”
General Langley met with President Boakai, the Minister of Defense, and the Army Chief of Staff during his visit.
