US Defense Chief Rebukes African Coup Leaders During Continent Tour....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

On Wednesday, the United States reaffirmed its commitment to supporting “civilian-led” militaries in Africa, with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin condemning recent coups and outlining Washington’s security strategy for the continent.

During his visit to Angola, Secretary Austin emphasized the importance of African militaries serving their citizens rather than the other way around. He stated that this principle would remain a cornerstone of America’s engagement with its African partners. In a speech in the capital, Luanda, he stated, “So we will continue to invest in professional, civilian-led militaries… And we’ll be honest with our partners when their security institutions fail to meet those universal standards.”

While not explicitly mentioning any specific country, Secretary Austin’s remarks appeared to allude to recent events in Niger, where military leaders overthrew a democratically elected president in July, and where the United States maintains approximately 1,100 military personnel. Austin criticized situations where generals disregard the will of the people and prioritize their own ambitions over the rule of law, emphasizing the negative impact on security. He also condemned “autocrats” who undermine free and fair elections.

Earlier in the week, Secretary Austin announced that the U.S. would “evaluate” its response to the crisis in Niger following France’s announcement of a full troop withdrawal as demanded by the military leaders.

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Secretary Austin’s visit to Angola marked the final leg of a three-country tour that also included stops in Djibouti and Kenya, aimed at strengthening partnerships on the African continent, where China and Russia have been expanding their influence.

Several African nations, including Burkina Faso, Guinea, Gabon, Mali, and Niger, have experienced coups since 2020. Mali, in particular, has shifted towards Moscow and engaged the services of mercenaries from the Wagner group.

In his remarks, Secretary Austin emphasized that Africa deserves better than autocratic leaders who supply cheap weapons, employ mercenary forces like the Wagner Group, or withhold food from hungry people worldwide, making a reference to the Kremlin.

During his visit to Luanda, Secretary Austin met with President Joao Lourenco and pledged to deepen cooperation with Angola in areas such as military modernization, training, maritime security, and medical readiness. This visit highlighted Angola’s diplomatic shift towards the West under President Lourenco’s leadership, despite its historical ties to China and Russia, including Soviet support during the civil war against U.S.-backed rebels. Austin noted the significant progress in the relationship between the United States and Angola in recent years.