Trump admin plans to shut down AFRICOM, transfer it under EUROCOM
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Although the potential decision has its supporters, the opposition is arguing that this would create a power vacuum in Africa that Russia and China would be eager to fill.
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President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with France's President Emmanuel Macron in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Monday, February 24, 2025. (AP)
The Trump administration is considering diminishing the US Africa Command (AFRICOM) and transferring it to a subcommand position under the European Command, thus reducing its influence. The plan is part of Trump's efforts targeting the Pentagon to reduce government spending and eliminate bureaucracy.
The proposal is under consideration, and some US Defense officials are endorsing the decision amid rising objections arguing that this would create a power vacuum in Africa that Russia and China would fill.
The US Africa Command was created under former US President Bush after Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld submitted his recommendations for a United Command for Africa as early as 2006. On September 28, 2007, AFRICOM was officially founded.
Trump goes after the Pentagon
The Pentagon announced that the US Department of Defense will reduce its workforce by at least 5%, i.e. more than 45,000 of the 900,000 civilians it employs.
"We anticipate reducing the department's civilian workforce by 5-8 percent to produce efficiencies and refocus the department on the president's priorities and restoring readiness in the force," said Darin Selnick, who is handling duties of the undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness.
Selnick added that 5,400 workers on probation would be released initially, and the department would halt hiring processes until they analyze their personnel needs.
In November 2024, Trump's transition team compiled a list of military officers to dismiss before he takes office, with Reuters sources stating that the president is likely to target officers associated with Mark Milley, a former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff under Trump's first administration.
In January 2025, Trump's administration shut down the Pentagon's Civilian Protection Center of Excellence, which was established in 2023 to reduce harm to civilians after the rise in noncombatant deaths, particularly during the alleged war on ISIS.
