Worthy Christian News > World News > Africa Has Seen a Massive Surge in Islamic Jihadist Terrorism Since 2008, Top US General says

Africa Has Seen a Massive Surge in Islamic Jihadist Terrorism Since 2008, Top US General says

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent

(Worthy News) – The head of US Africa Command (AFRICOM) warned Sunday that the continent of Africa has seen a massive surge in the number of Islamic jihadist terrorists operating there in the last 16 years.

During an interview with Fox News Digital at the weekend, Marine Corps Gen. Michael Langley, commander of AFRICOM, said the number of Islamic jihadists in Africa has increased 10-fold since 2008.

“We’ve been monitoring and identifying indications and warnings for a number of years,” Gen. Langley said.

“Just for statistics, back in 2008 Islamic jihadists on the global scene, only 4% was on the African continent. Now that number is up to 40%. So, in executing AFRICOM’s mission of being able to provide indications and warnings, monitor and respond, is all for the protection of the homeland.”

AFRICOM “is charged with executing our mission, which expands from deterring threats on the African continent, gaining access and influence and being able to respond to crises,” Langley added.

Regarding America’s response to jihadism and other geo-political crises in Africa, Langley stated: “What the US needs to do, we need to increase our information operations. We need to be able to match what our assurance actions are, especially ‘a whole government’ approach, in being able to partner with our African partners, addressing some of their challenges, challenges that extend from climate change to violent extremist organizations, that we have the overall value proposition, by being able to harvest our shared values, and shared objectives of stability and security.”