Trump administration weighs eliminating AFRICOM, shifting to EUCOM subcommand
A military drone replica is displayed in front of the White House during a protest against drone strikes on January 12, 2019 in Washington, DC. (AFP Photo)
The Trump administration is considering eliminating U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) as part of an overall Pentagon downsizing, according to two U.S. officials and another person familiar with the discussions speaking to CNBC.
The proposal would see AFRICOM moved to a subcommand position under European Command (EUCOM), with whom it already collaborates closely.
Proposal details and rationale
Defense officials in favor of the move argue that transferring AFRICOM under EUCOM would streamline command structures and reduce bureaucracy.
They also note that it could simplify the process for the administration to withdraw U.S. troops from specific areas in Africa, such as Somalia.
Recent air strikes in Somalia on Feb. 16 and over the weekend have underscored the region’s volatile security situation.
Implications for US military influence
Critics of the proposed change warn that a smaller U.S. military presence in Africa may create a power vacuum that could be exploited by adversaries like Russia and China.
One U.S. official expressed concern that the downsizing might diminish the overall influence of U.S. operations in the region.
Background on AFRICOM operations
Established in 2007 and fully operational as of Oct. 1, 2008, AFRICOM is tasked with overseeing U.S. military relations with 53 African nations.
Roughly 2,000 personnel—including military, civilian, and contractor employees—are currently assigned to AFRICOM. More than half of these personnel are based at its headquarters in Stuttgart, Germany, with additional teams at MacDill Air Force Base in Florida and RAF Molesworth in the U.K. Marine Corps Gen. Michael E. Langley, who became the sixth commander in August 2022, was expected to rotate out of the position this summer.
Official visits and ongoing discussions
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth recently visited AFRICOM’s headquarters in Germany during a broader engagement that included a stop at EUCOM.
The discussions about reorganizing AFRICOM have yet to be formally confirmed by Pentagon spokespeople, and the department did not respond to a request for comment regarding the proposal.
