U.S. Military Footprint in Africa
May 3, 2026
AFRICOM PERSONNEL
~7,000
U.S. troops deployed across Africa at any given time
AFRICAN LION 2024
8,000+
troops from 20+ nations in the largest Africa exercise
YEARS OF ALLIANCE
247
Morocco recognized U.S. independence in 1777
SAHEL INCIDENTS
12+
significant militant attacks near exercise zones since 2020
U.S. Troop Presence in Africa (2007–2024)
Republican
Democrat
Oldest U.S. Arab World Alliance
1777
Morocco was the first nation to formally recognize U.S. independence, signing a Treaty of Friendship in 1786 — still the longest unbroken treaty relationship in U.S. history.
AFRICOM Founded
2007
U.S. Africa Command was activated October 1, 2007, under President Bush, consolidating Africa operations previously split across EUCOM, CENTCOM, and PACOM.
Known U.S. Bases / Outposts in Africa
~29 (peak)
The U.S. military operates a network of bases, lily pads, and cooperative security locations across Africa. The count peaked near 29 before the Niger withdrawal in 2024.
Polisario Front Backer
Algeria
Algeria hosts the Polisario Front's government-in-exile and provides financial and military support, making it the primary geopolitical counterweight to Morocco in the region.
Active Militant Groups Near Exercise Zone
4+
JNIM (al-Qaeda affiliate), ISIS in the Greater Sahara (ISIS-GS), Ansar Dine, and GSIM all operate in or adjacent to the Sahel corridor abutting Morocco's southern borders.
Key Questions & Context
Data Sources
U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) · Congressional Research Service · Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED) · U.S. Department of Defense
Data sources
AFRICOM Official Troop Presence & Mission Data· U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM)African Lion Exercise History and Fact Sheets· U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM)U.S. Military Presence in Africa: An Overview· Congressional Research ServiceACLED Conflict Data — Sahel & North Africa· Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED)Western Sahara Conflict Background· Council on Foreign RelationsMorocco-U.S. Treaty of Friendship (1786)· U.S. Department of State Office of the HistorianDoD Personnel and Readiness Annual Reports· U.S. Department of DefenseTongo Tongo Ambush — Niger 2017· The New York Times