AFRICOM ignites struggle between US Democrats and Republicans

Ahmed Adel

Republicans and Democrats in the United States struggle with each other over the presence of US forces in conflict areas with terrorist groups due to the increasing number of operations carried out by these groups and their impact on the American forces abroad.

This conflict between the Republicans, led by US President Donald Trump, and Democrats ignited after the Pentagon announced in December 2019 that it was reducing its military presence in West Africa, at a time when the region is witnessing an increase in the activity of terrorist groups, led by the ISIS-affiliated Boko Haram group, as well as a number of groups loyal to al-Qaeda.

According to the Defense One website, Congressman Jimmy Panetta, a California Democrat, will submit a proposal on Tuesday, March 10 to limit Trump’s ability to withdraw troops from West Africa, which would be considered the strongest proposal in a series of congressional opposition to the withdrawal from the continent.

The proposal prevents the US administration from using any funds in 2020 to reduce the total number of troops deployed in Africa until officials issue a series of reports to Congress disclosing everything from the impact of the withdrawal decision on counterterrorism efforts on the continent to its effects on the growing Russian and Chinese influence there.

Esper’s testimony

Over the past week, US Defense Secretary Mark Esper assured the Armed Forces Committee that he often thinks of reducing the US presence as part of an effort to refocus the administration’s efforts on the threats from China and Russia.

His testimony before the committee was met with strong objection from some members because withdrawing from West Africa would allow terrorist groups to be present and spread more than Washington imagines, as well as give Russia and China room to expand their influence.

In January 2020, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham commented on the reduction of US forces in West Africa, saying, “Our European partners, like France, depend on our intelligence and logistical support for military operations inside West Africa.”

Democratic Senator Chris Coons expects that any withdrawal or reduction would lead to an escalation of violent attacks in Africa, as well as an increase in the geopolitical influence of competitors such as Russia and China.

Panetta’s legislation would leave the Pentagon in a state of emergency with the possibility of withdrawing troops without reporting if the secretary decided on the advice of the relevant military leaders that withdrawal is necessary because of an imminent threat to US Africa Command (AFRICOM) forces.

Reversal

In a reverse move after announcing the withdrawal of its forces, Washington on Friday, March 6 appointed Peter Pham as special envoy for Africa’s Sahel and Sahara region in order to confront the escalation of violence there after terrorist groups linked to al-Qaeda and ISIS strengthened their presence in the region.

ISIS and al-Qaeda

In February 2020, a report by the Washington Post warned of the possibility of an organizational alliance between al-Qaeda and ISIS in West Africa, which would create a real crisis that threatens regional security.

According to statements by US and French officials to the Washington Post, al-Qaeda and ISIS used sophisticated tactics in their terrorist operations against civilians and the military, particularly in Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso, which has led to them taking complete control over a large number of villages and cities.