By, With, and Through: Securing US National Interests in Africa

"To date, US security policy in Africa has focused on combating violent extremism by enabling African partners, and this must remain an important priority for future American engagement. Many parts of Africa are severely afflicted with systemic instability, which creates ungoverned spaces in which violent extremist organizations (VEOs) such as al-Qa’ida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), the Islamic State in Libya, the Islamic State in West Africa and Boko Haram (BH), have flourished.[iii] In response, the Department of Defense engages in widespread Security Force Assistance (SFA) efforts to train, advise, and assist African militaries to better address their internal security challenges."