The 2026 United States Counterterrorism Strategy has been praised for prioritising intelligence-sharing and strategic partnerships aimed at disrupting terrorist networks across Africa, particularly in Nigeria and the Sahel region.
In a paper titled “The US 2026 Counterterrorism Strategy and Its Implications for Nigeria and the Sahel”, security expert and retired Lieutenant Colonel Freddie Grounds described the policy as a major shift in American security thinking, reflecting lessons from past military interventions and the evolving geography of extremist threats globally.
Grounds noted that unlike previous approaches centred on large-scale troop deployments, the revised US strategy focuses on intelligence-driven operations, local partnerships, and strengthening the capabilities of partner nations.
According to him, Africa has become a critical focus of global counterterrorism efforts due to the continued activities of extremist organisations such as Boko Haram, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), and al-Qaeda-linked groups operating across fragile and poorly governed regions in the Sahel.
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He explained that the United States demonstrated its commitment to the region earlier in 2026 by deploying about 200 military personnel to Nigeria to support intelligence-sharing, training, and advisory operations under Nigerian command authority.
Grounds also referenced the recent three-day working visit to the United States by Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, during which he held high-level meetings with senior US officials to strengthen bilateral security cooperation.
He further highlighted the conclusion of “Exercise African Lion 2026”, a three-week multinational military exercise led by the United States and involving more than 5,600 troops from over 40 countries, including African nations, NATO allies, and US forces. The exercise focused on multi-domain operations across North and West Africa.
“At the heart of the new US Counterterrorism Strategy is a deeper commitment to intelligence-sharing and partner-force development,” Grounds stated.
“The US Government seeks to provide actionable intelligence to African governments, enabling them to disrupt extremist networks before they can establish operational bases in their countries. This approach recognises that local African ownership and sustainability are critical to long-term success.”
He added that the strategy also places emphasis on protecting vulnerable communities, including Christians and other groups frequently targeted by extremist violence, thereby incorporating a significant human rights dimension into counterterrorism operations.
Grounds described Nigeria as a frontline state in the Lake Chad Basin and a central pillar of the new American strategy due to the persistent threat posed by Boko Haram and ISWAP across Nigeria, Niger, Chad, and Cameroon.
According to him, US-Nigeria security cooperation has deepened significantly since 2025, producing what he described as measurable outcomes, including reported US airstrikes against ISWAP camps in Sokoto State in December 2025.
The retired military officer said the operation reportedly killed between 150 and 200 militants and marked what was acknowledged as the first direct American combat action inside Nigeria.
He also praised Nigeria’s broader counterterrorism approach, which combines military operations with community engagement, deradicalisation programmes, and economic initiatives designed to tackle the root causes of violent extremism.
Grounds further linked Nigeria’s security efforts to the wider instability across the Sahel, particularly in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, where weak governance and political instability have created opportunities for extremist expansion.
He commended the Nigeria-US Joint Working Group established in late 2025, describing it as an important bilateral framework for coordinating intelligence-sharing, border security, and regional counterterrorism assistance.
According to the paper, extremist organisations in the Sahel and Lake Chad Basin continue to exploit corruption, weak institutions, and marginalised communities while increasingly blurring the lines between terrorism and organised crime through arms trafficking and smuggling networks.
The paper also linked the new US strategy with resolutions reached at the Africa Forward Summit 2026 held in Kenya, where African leaders pledged stronger cooperation against terrorism, cybercrime, arms trafficking, and organised crime.
Grounds noted that African-led security mechanisms such as the Nouakchott Process and the Accra Initiative have strengthened intelligence-sharing and joint regional operations aimed at preventing the spread of insurgencies across West Africa and the Sahel.
Despite the progress, he warned that challenges remain, particularly regarding sovereignty concerns and the long-term sustainability of external security assistance.
He said Nigeria must balance strategic cooperation with the United States while preserving its national autonomy and avoiding overdependence on foreign military support.
Grounds also stressed that governance reforms, accountability, and economic resilience remain essential to ensuring that military successes against extremist groups are sustainable.
“In summary, the US 2026 Counterterrorism Strategy represents a pragmatic and recalibrated approach to global security,” the paper stated.
