The United States is changing its approach to the Sahel after years of distancing itself from military-led governments in the region—while warning that extremist groups are becoming more dangerous and better organised across West Africa.

According to cbinews.tv, the United States is looking to re-establish engagement with countries in the Sahel region, marking a shift after previously limiting cooperation with military-led governments in the area.

This renewed interest comes as top US military officials raised fresh concerns about the growing strength of extremist groups across Africa during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on Thursday.

General Dagvin Anderson, Commander of the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), delivered a stark warning, saying extremist organisations are now deeply entrenched on the continent.

“Today, the epicentre of global terrorism is in Africa. ISIS leadership is African. Al-Qaeda’s economic engine is in Africa. Both of these groups share the will and intent to strike our homeland,” he said.

He also pointed to worsening insecurity in West Africa, including militant advances near Mali, warning that if insurgents were ever to seize a capital city, it could give groups like Al-Qaeda the structure of a full-fledged state capable of supporting global terrorism.

In the Sahel, Al-Qaeda-linked JNIM, he noted, has expanded its influence, tightening control over key territories and even disrupting fuel supplies around major population centres.

Despite the alarming outlook, Anderson highlighted improved military cooperation with Nigeria, describing it as a key partner in the region. He said recent months have seen stronger intelligence sharing and joint efforts to target terrorist groups following earlier US airstrikes on Islamic State-linked targets.

However, Nigeria’s military has faced repeated accusations of civilian casualties during air operations. One recent incident in Tumfa reportedly left about 100 civilians dead, including children, according to Amnesty International’s Nigeria office. The military has denied targeting civilians.

Anderson also raised concerns about reduced US military presence across Africa, warning that cuts have created serious intelligence gaps and weakened rapid response capabilities.

He stressed that rebuilding trust and partnerships in regions like the Sahel is now critical, especially as ISIS-linked groups continue to operate and even hold an American hostage.

Despite years of counterterrorism operations by regional governments, jihadist violence across the Sahel and West Africa has persisted with limited success.

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