UNITED STATES AND THE FIGHT AGAINST TERRORISM IN AFRICA: A CASE STUDY OF AFRICOM (2007-2025)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.60787/aasd.vol4no1.98Keywords:
United States, Terrorism, Africa and AfricomAbstract
Superpowers rivalry between the United States and the defunct Soviet Union during the Cold War era prompted the United States to established military bases in different parts of the world. During the Cold War, these military bases were established to prevent the spread of Communism to United States allied areas. After the Cold War, these bases were used to checkmate the activities of terrorist organizations and its operations in different parts of the world. The study found out that extremist organizations emerged in Africa and that has prompted the United States to act decisively to combat this threat to global security. Also with the strategic significance of African resources especially crude oil, it becomes imperative to strengthen peace in the area through watertight security alliances and crisis response force. It is in this regard that the United States established the African Command Centre (AFRICOM) in 2007. Despite challenges and criticism bordering on neocolonialism and militarization of the region by the United States, AFRICOM became a full-fledged military command on October 1, 2008. The research relies on secondary and primary sources and proffered that AFRICOM wealth of experienced can be harnessed to curb the increasing menace of terrorism and bandit activities especially in West Africa and Nigeria in particular.
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