Outgoing commander of the United States Africa Command, General Stephen Townsend, says that if the United States doesn’t step up to help Africa counter terrorism, help will come from elsewhere. Speaking to journalists Townsend said that “Africa is located at a global crossroads and its security environment is complex, ripe with both opportunities and challenges alike”. “China and Russia aggressively use diplomatic, economic and military means to expand their access and influence, convert soft and hard power, for investments, and to seek new partnerships,” he said, stressing that “this strategic competition is also linked to counter-terrorism efforts on the continent”.
