AFRICOM denies claims of US plans for military base in Zambia
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The Zimbabwean President has recently voiced concerns to his Russian counterpart during a visit to St. Petersburg that the US is attempting to "militarize" Zambia.
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US Marine Gen. Michael Langley, head of US Africa Command, left, speaks to reporters at a conference of military chiefs from across Africa, with Lt. Gen. Placid Segokgo, Botswana’s commander of the defense force, Tuesday, June 25, 2024, in Gaborone, Botswana. (AP)
General Michael Langley, the commander of US Africa Command (AFRICOM), dismissed claims on Thursday that the US intends to establish a military base in Zambia, stressing that such reports are unequivocally false.
"That's absolutely false. We have no bases in Zambia. We have no plans to put one there," the general said during a press briefing, addressing recent speculation and concerns raised by Zambian lawmakers and regional leaders.
The controversy erupted following assertions from Zambian members of Parliament demanding transparency from their government regarding potential military deployments, cautioning that hosting AFRICOM forces could strain diplomatic relations with neighboring countries.
Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa recently voiced concerns to Russian President Vladimir Putin during a visit to St. Petersburg that the US is attempting to "militarize" Zambia as part of a broader strategy to exert influence and isolate neighboring Zimbabwe.
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Countries like South Africa, Libya, and Nigeria have historically opposed AFRICOM's presence on the continent, citing concerns over US intentions to expand influence and safeguard economic interests, particularly in oil-rich regions.
Despite ongoing objections, the US has maintained a security cooperation office at its embassy in Lusaka, aimed at training Zambian troops under the guise of UN peacekeeping missions.
This initiative has faced criticism from Zambian officials, including National Assembly member Stephen Kampyongo, who expressed reservations about unclear US objectives and stressed the importance of respecting national sovereignty in international relations.
General Langley, on his part, affirmed Washington's commitment to a strong partnership with Zambia, noting that Washington has a "very deepened partnership" with Zambia but that there are "no plans for a base."
"We have increased security cooperation with them, but there is no footprint, there is no posture, there is no base. Within our security cooperation office, which is resident in the embassy, but there is no base," General Langley maintained.
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