Why Africa's struggle with extremism matters to America

PUBLISHED: October 6, 2026 | www.baltimoresun.com

Africa’s fight against violent Islamist extremism and the influence of centralized political models may seem far from American daily life. It is not. Instability on the continent can affect U.S. security, global trade, energy and mineral supplies, migration and the competition over what kind of political order will shape the future.

From the Sahel to Somalia and northern Mozambique, militant groups have exploited weak institutions, insecurity and public frustration. They have crossed borders, displaced families and attacked communities. Their violence is not confined to one country, and the networks behind them can connect local conflicts to wider threats. When governments lose control of territory, extremists gain room to recruit, organize and threaten people far beyond the communities they first target.

That matters to Americans because preventing threats is less costly than responding after they grow. A crisis left to deepen can demand more diplomacy, humanitarian assistance and security resources later. It can also destabilize regions that matter to international shipping and commerce. The United States should not assume every conflict will reach its shores, and it should recognize that unchecked violence can have consequences well beyond Africa.

But Americans must understand what this threat is and what it is not. Violent extremists claim religious justification, but they do not represent Islam or the millions of African Muslims who live peacefully and contribute to their societies. Treating Muslim communities as suspect would be unjust and strategically foolish. Local people are often the first victims of extremist violence and are indispensable partners in resisting it. Counterterrorism must protect civilians, respect religious freedom and distinguish between peaceful believers and those who commit or support violence.

Security operations alone will not end the threat. Extremist groups can exploit corruption, unemployment, poor services and distrust of government. If citizens see the state as absent or predatory, armed groups can promise order or belonging even while imposing brutality. Effective security must be accompanied by accountable government, economic opportunity and public services. That approach serves African communities first and reduces the chances that instability will become a wider international problem.

The political contest also matters. Communist traditions remain part of African politics, including through legal parties with deep roots in liberation movements. China, governed by the Chinese Communist Party, has expanded political and government ties across the continent. African countries have every right to pursue trade, investment and diplomacy with China or any other nation. The United States should not treat every partnership as a threat or assume African leaders lack agency.

It should, however, pay attention to the political terms of those relationships. A centralized, one-party model may be promoted as a route to development, but economic growth is not the only measure of a nation’s success. Americans should care whether citizens can criticize their government, organize independently, vote leaders out and rely on courts that apply the law fairly. These are not abstract ideals. They influence whether agreements are transparent, institutions are dependable and public resources serve citizens.

Africa’s importance to the United States is also economic. The continent is a source of critical minerals and a growing market, and its role in global supply chains will matter more as competition over technology and resources intensifies. If America wants reliable partnerships, it must offer more than warnings about rivals. It must engage with respect, invest in relationships that create mutual benefit and recognize that African governments will pursue their own interests.

The right balance is clear: oppose violent extremism without casting suspicion on an entire faith, and challenge authoritarian rule without condemning legitimate political debate. America should work with African governments and communities to strengthen security, opportunity and accountable institutions, while avoiding the assumption that Washington can dictate the continent’s choices.

Africa’s future belongs to Africans. But the consequences of instability, terrorism and concentrated power do not stop at the continent’s borders. A safer, more prosperous Africa is in America’s interest not because Africa exists to serve the United States, but because nations are more secure when their neighbors have strong institutions, peaceful communities and a genuine say in how they are governed.

Armstrong Williams (www.armstrongwilliams.com; @arightside) is a political analyst, syndicated columnist and owner of the broadcasting company, Howard Stirk Holdings. He is also part owner of The Baltimore Sun.

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