President Donald Trump has initiated a leadership transition at the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), appointing Air Force Lt. Gen. Dagvin R.M. Anderson to take over from Marine Gen. Michael Langley as the new head of America’s military operations across the African continent.
The decision, announced from the White House earlier this week, comes as Gen. Langley’s groundbreaking two-year tenure draws to a close. In 2022, Langley became the first Black four-star general in the Marine Corps and made history again as the first African American to lead AFRICOM. His leadership tenure spanned a particularly turbulent chapter in U.S.–Africa security relations.
Lt. Gen. Anderson, who currently serves as the Director of Joint Force Development on the Pentagon’s Joint Staff, will assume command of AFRICOM at a time of rising geopolitical tension in Africa. From expanding Chinese and Russian influence to the fallout from military takeovers in West Africa, the region has become increasingly complex to navigate.
In making the appointment, President Trump underscored his administration’s commitment to keeping AFRICOM as a standalone command — a statement seen by analysts as a strong reaffirmation of U.S. interest in African affairs despite past debates in Washington about whether the command should be scaled back or merged.
“Africa matters. And our presence must reflect our interests,” one senior administration official said following the announcement. “President Trump is making it clear that U.S. partnerships in Africa remain strategic.”
But Anderson will be inheriting no small task.
During his time as commander, Gen. Langley became known not just for his leadership, but also for his frank assessments of emerging threats in the region. In testimony to the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee earlier this year, Langley raised alarm bells about terrorist groups financing their operations through illicit gold trading, particularly in troubled parts of Burkina Faso.
“Burkina Faso has lost significant state control in many of its northern regions,” Langley told lawmakers. “Extremist organizations are using black-market gold to bankroll their expansion and purchase arms.”
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He warned that these developments weren’t just African issues, they posed long-term threats to global stability, including U.S. security interests.
Langley’s remarks were widely interpreted as indirect criticism of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES)—a coalition formed by Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso after their military coups. These nations have cut ties with traditional Western allies, expelled French troops, and turned to Russia and regional actors for military support.
Langley maintained that AFRICOM’s role was not to interfere with political transitions but to support regional counterterrorism efforts. Still, his direct language and focus on the economic underpinnings of terrorism struck a chord globally and drew renewed attention to the shifting allegiances within Africa.
As Gen. Langley exits the stage, there’s widespread acknowledgment that the challenges facing AFRICOM haven’t diminished—they’ve multiplied.
Lt. Gen. Anderson steps in at a moment when trust is fragile, alliances are in flux, and the need for strategic clarity is greater than ever. He will be tasked with rebuilding relationships, expanding security partnerships, and navigating the uneasy balance between American influence and Africa’s growing alignment with global competitors.
While Washington’s spotlight often drifts elsewhere, President Trump’s decision to install new leadership at AFRICOM is a reminder: Africa remains a frontline in the battle for global influence—and the U.S. isn’t ready to step back.
