The United States government has expressed concerns over the continued security threat that terrorist groups Boko Haram and al-Shabaab pose to Africa and the developed countries.

It expressed the concern during a telephonic press briefing involving the U.S. Army Europe-Africa generals while discussing the recent U.S. Army Europe and U.S. Army Africa consolidation, the continued commitment of the U.S. army to African allies, and the multinational African Lion training exercise scheduled in June 2021.

The briefing organised by the U.S. Department of State’s Africa Regional Media Hub was attended by Gen. Christopher G. Cavoli, Commanding General, U.S. Army Europe and Africa, and Maj.-Gen. Andrew Rohling, Deputy Commanding General, U.S. Army Europe-Africa.

They spoke from Vicenza, Italy.

Responding to a journalist’s question regarding Boko Haram, Mr. Rohling said, “The violent extremist organisations such as al-Shabaab and Boko Haram and others remain a threat.

“They’re a brutal, capable enemy, as they’ve planned and conducted numerous violent attacks on African citizens, U.S. military service members, international military forces.

“And as General Cavoli mentioned earlier in his comments, civilians such as Ambassador Attanasio from Italy…he was very unfortunately killed along with his security officer.

“But the United States is committed to working with our African partners to counter and contain violent extremist organisations, and we’ll continue to do so over the course of time.”

Mr. Cavoli explained that last November, the U.S. Army announced the consolidation of U.S. Army Europe and U.S. Army Africa into one four-star army service component command.

“This is a very exciting change for us because it will allow the U.S. Army to expand its focus and to enhance its commitment to both European and African security issues,” he stated.

Mr. Cavoli added the consolidation was an example of how the U.S. Army “is modernising and how we’re posturing ourselves to be able to think regionally.”

He added, “But this is not just a consolidation of headquarters. It’s also a consolidation of our capabilities across Europe and Africa. European and African issues are inextricably linked. I think it’s very safe to say. I know many of our allies here in Europe certainly agree with that.

“The close geography and economic ties between the two continents means that regional security issues, left unchecked, quickly spread from one area to another. So this consolidation enables greater synchronisation of operations in Africa with our NATO allies here in Europe, many of whom have very important security concerns and security interests in Africa.”

The U.S. Army general noted that the consolidation allowed him to coordinate closely with our European allies on their operations and activities and their investments in Africa.

“So this is a – this is a very big advance, both north of the Mediterranean and south of the Mediterranean,” he said.