Africa, a theater of secondary war under the presidency of Donald Trump. It is in this logic that the Pentagon announced, Wednesday, February 12, the repatriation of a combat unit, which will be replaced by "instructors". But there is no question, however, of leaving the field open to China and Russia, which seek to increase their influence on the continent and elsewhere.

The Americans have therefore decided to focus on what they see as a threat from Moscow and Beijing to their military supremacy in the world. A recent report indicates that the US military command for Africa (Africom) has changed its strategy towards extremist groups. It is now a question of "containing" them and no longer of "weakening" them. In other words, the United States is reducing its anti-jihadist operations in order to better compete with China and Russia in the world.

Contacted by France 24, Nicole Vilboux, researcher associated with the Federation for Strategic Research and specialist in the United States, believes that the exchange of soldiers which has just been announced is "a political signal". According to her, "it is a question of showing that Africa is no longer a priority" in American foreign policy.

France 24: Do the United States have the habit of replacing soldiers with military trainers in Africa?

Nicole Viboux: Yes, it's not new. The United States has adopted this strategy since the beginning of its military presence in Africa. The country has always considered Africa as a theater of war which supposes the economy of forces. By sending this brigade, the United States intervenes indirectly by supporting the African and French armies.

This type of strategy has been favored since the Obama presidency in the early 2010s. The goal is to withdraw the majority of American forces from theaters of engagement.

Has there been an evolution since Donald Trump came to power?

Under the Trump presidency, the focus is on preparing for a conflict with China or Russia. He and his advisers wanted to orient the American military apparatus towards the preparation of a future war or a large-scale military deterrent. Faced with this objective, Africa and the other confrontation grounds, considered by Trump as secondary, will no doubt pay the price.
>> Read also: Russia blows a cold war wind over the North Atlantic with its submarines

This exchange also shows that the United States has already started the process. The unit will be repatriated to train for high intensity combat against a potentially powerful adversary. It will no longer involve training against irregular and terrorist troops or providing military assistance.

By showing that they are preparing for the military, the Americans want to send a warning signal to the Chinese and the Russians. The aim is to dissuade them from going to war with the United States.

Is this exchange of units a warning sign of the American withdrawal from Africa?

This exchange is above all a political signal: it is a question of showing that Africa is no longer a priority. For the moment, this adjustment does not announce anything serious but in the long term, the Americans could reduce their forces in Africa. The consequences could be quite significant, in particular vis-à-vis France which is engaged in the Sahel. The French government also requests that the American forces remain in Africa because even if France makes a very important effort in the Sahel, its military capacities are limited. If the United States continues to downsize, French forces could end up with less air supply and less intelligence on the terrorists.

But anyway, the United States cannot withdraw much more. Of course, they come regularly to American bases in Africa, but that does not mean that many American soldiers are permanently present in Africa.

American engagement in Africa is a matter of foreign policy, which is essentially fluid. For the moment, the United States wants to prepare for a potential war. But, at the top of the state, this is not unanimous. Some believe that the problem of terrorism has not been resolved and that a new attack could still take place. If an attack occurs that affects the United States, they will likely redirect their foreign policy to Africa. Because American foreign policy works in the form of phases and cycles.

>> Read also: Africa, the youngest of Donald Trump's concerns



The France 24 week summary invites you to come back to the news that marked the week

I subscribe

Download the app

google-play-badge_FR