While much attention has been given to the tactical successes of the 2025 African Chiefs of Defence (ACHOD) Conference held in Nairobi, Kenya, the deeper strategic implications remain the real story worth exploring.
During his remarks on 30 May 2025, from Nairobi, Africa Command (Africom) Chief, General Michael Langley, highlighted the scale and significance of the event, stating, “This year, we were joined by senior military leaders from over 37 African countries. And let me explain the dialogue. The dialogue here was powerful.”
Langley also elaborated on Africom’s strategic priorities: “Today, I want to emphasize US Afrom’s strategic approach. I’ve been charged by the [US] Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth to mitigate threats to the US homeland posed by terrorist organisations, the most dangerous of which are unfortunately right here on the African continent.”
This clear mandate reflects the pressing need for addressing terrorism at its roots, particularly in regions like the Sahel, where extremist organizations pose a growing challenge to regional and global stability.
From reimagining military logistics to fostering engagement beyond traditional frameworks, these overlooked dimensions have the potential to transform security and development across Africa, the conference heard.
Africom’s advocacy for the synchronisation of military logistics across borders could revolutionise regional mobility and operational effectiveness. This effort is not just about moving troops or supplies; it is about creating a cohesive system where countries can respond swiftly and collaboratively to crises.
Equally transformative is the diplomacy embedded in these high-level interactions. The trust and shared experiences cultivated during the ACHOD Conference pave the way for enduring alliances that outlast individual engagements. These alliances hold profound importance for long-term peacebuilding efforts, helping to bridge gaps between countries.
Another vital yet underexplored dimension is Africom’s facilitation of inter-African dialogue that transcends military frameworks. Langley’s emphasis on engagement has catalysed discussions about integrating military strategies with socio-economic policies. This holistic approach could revolutionise how African countries view development and security—not as isolated challenges but as intertwined objectives requiring synchronised solutions.
Langley emphasised African-led solutions to security challenges. His vision centres on empowering African militaries to assume ownership of their futures. “African militaries are not waiting to be saved,” he asserted, underscoring the shift toward self-reliance and regional autonomy.
This approach aligns with Africom’s strategic vision of “peace through strength.” Exercises such as African Lion, Flintlock, and Justified Accord reflect this ethos, training thousands of troops annually and promoting regional leadership in crisis response. For instance, Justified Accord 2025 trained over 1 300 troops from up to 20 countries, with Kenya, Djibouti, and Tanzania co-hosting the exercise.
Langley did not shy away from addressing the escalating terrorism crisis in Africa, particularly in the Sahel region. Labelling the Sahel as the “epicentre of terrorism,” he highlighted the struggles of countries like Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger to maintain control over vast territories. Extremist groups affiliated with ISIS and al-Qaida continue to thrive, threatening to expand their reach to West African coastlines—a move that would enable financing through smuggling, human trafficking, and arms trading.
Coastal countries such as Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, and Benin are actively defending their borders against this expansion, with Africom’s support. These efforts underscore the importance of building strong, capable militaries to counter transnational threats while safeguarding regional stability.
The ACHOD Conference reflects larger global security trends, where soft power and multilateralism increasingly define success.
Under Langley’s stewardship, Africom has demonstrated that its role transcends traditional military engagement. By fostering trust, encouraging regional autonomy, and addressing emerging security challenges, Africom underscores the importance of adaptive leadership in an interconnected world.
As the 2025 conference has set the stage for transformative change, its success lies not only in immediate achievements but also in the enduring foundations it lays for a secure and prosperous Africa. From community-led initiatives like Kenya’s Shining Hope for Communities (SHOFCO) to discussions on independent operations, the conference exemplifies how African nations are stepping up to lead their futures.
African-led solutions are not just a vision—they are becoming a reality, and Africom is a committed partner in making this vision a success.
Pearl Matibe is a Washington, DC-based geopolitical analyst and correspondent with expertise in foreign policy and international security, regularly covering the Pentagon and White House. Follow her on X (Twitter): @PearlMatibe.
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