African nations in the west, north and across the Sahel, especially Libya, have approached the U.S. for discussions on how to achieve their own security goals, Marine Corps Gen. Michael Langley, commander of U.S. Africa Command, said, adding: “because they know the intrinsic value the U.S. brings.”
“We’re working through diplomatic means and also defense means with Libya,” he said. “We’ll have representation at this conference from both sides of the Libyan country. So, I say that [Libyan National Army] and [Government of National Unity] will be there. I met these representatives last year, and they know their clear end state; they want to get there, and they are asking America to engage with them so they can achieve those ends.”
The United States and Botswana will co-host the conference in the capital city Gaborone during the last week of June. The event brings together military leaders from across Africa to exchange knowledge, encourage partnerships and foster collaboration toward addressing shared security and stability challenges.
This is the first year the U.S. has co-hosted the conference with an African nation. It is also the first time the conference will take place in Africa. At the same time the conference is underway, Langley said, the U.S. is on track to complete the orderly withdrawal from Niger it agreed to with Niger’s government.
