During a talk at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI) think tank, Rep. Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.) warned that terrorist groups are rapidly spreading throughout Africa and may soon target Western nations. He also expressed concern that the influence of these groups is inadvertently ceding the region to China and Russia.
Panetta emphasized the need to be aware of this growing threat, stating that the violence in Africa could extend beyond the littoral states and pose a danger to the West. He described his recent trip to Africa as “eye opening” and highlighted the importance of U.S. engagement in the region, particularly in the Sahel region.
The congressman expressed concern that the United States may be failing to deter malign actors from carrying out terror attacks. Panetta stressed that what happens in Africa will not stay in Africa, emphasizing that this is a message that needs to be conveyed.
Panetta’s trip to Africa followed a series of coups in the Sahel and surrounding region. Countries such as Burkina Faso, Chad, Gabon, Guinea, Mali, and Niger have all experienced coups, some of them more than once.
Katherine Zimmerman, a fellow at AEI, described the situation as dynamic and explained that coups often occur in response to the threat of terror groups in the region. She emphasized that many people in Africa are willing to accept some level of stability and protection from terrorists, even if it means being ruled by a military junta.
The congressman also highlighted the trend of post-coup nations in Africa deepening their ties with China and Russia while turning away from the United States and Europe due to a lack of engagement. He noted that these nations had sought engagement from the United States but ultimately turned to other countries due to the absence of economic engagement.
A report by The Sentry, a nonprofit organization focused on examining links between finance and crimes against humanity, found that Russia’s Wagner Group private military company is creating a “blueprint for state capture” in Africa. The organization has been linked to military coups and the seizure of industrial-level gold and diamond mining operations, granting Russia a means of building wealth. These developments pose challenges not only for international influence but also for international security.