THE AFRICOM COMMANDER – By Chief Femi Fani-Kayode

The man in the picture is General Michael E. Langley. He is an American—a four-star General in the United States Marine Corps and the current Commander of the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM).

To Pan-Africanists and true African nationalists, this man is not a friend. He is not an ally. He is an agent of Western imperialism—a willing instrument in the hands of those who seek to dominate, suppress, and exploit Africa. He represents a force that is determined to bleed us dry, discredit our leaders, and crush any progressive movement that emerges on this continent.

Recently, he called for the removal and elimination of Captain Ibrahim Traoré, the Head of State of Burkina Faso, accusing him of misappropriating the gold meant for his people. This is not the first time he has interfered in African affairs. He has repeatedly criticized African leaders and tried to discredit their efforts—unless, of course, they serve the interests of the CIA or bow to Western demands.

Langley only seems comfortable with African leaders who serve as puppets—those who tremble before Washington and parrot Western scripts. He has no regard for those who speak truth to power or strive for genuine African autonomy.

When the story of Africa’s journey is written, General Langley’s name will be remembered with shame and contempt. His legacy will be one of betrayal—a modern-day Quisling. He will be grouped with characters like Vidkun Quisling, the Norwegian traitor who collaborated with the Nazis; Kemi Badenoch, the British Conservative politician who denies her African roots; and “Uncle Tom,” the infamous fictional symbol of servility.

Despite his previous distasteful comments, Langley continues to spew provocative nonsense. During a television interview on Kenya’s Citizen TV on May 27th, he arrogantly declared:

“I have talked to a number of Ministers of Defence and Presidents and told them we were assessing. If we are that important to you, you need to communicate that and we will see.”

This statement reeks of arrogance and entitlement. After facing backlash from millions of Africans for meddling in our affairs, he still has the audacity to lecture us—talking down to sovereign nations as though we are schoolchildren begging for approval.

Who exactly does he think he is? Who gave him the right to assess us? Who invited him to Africa? What purpose has AFRICOM served in Africa other than spreading destabilization and discord?

In Nigeria, we have battled terrorism for over 15 years—fighting deadly insurgent groups like Boko Haram, Al Qaeda, and ISWAP. We reached out, time and again, for assistance and cooperation. But the U.S., under Langley’s command, turned its back on us. No meaningful military support. No satellite intelligence. No access to advanced weapons. Only empty words, lectures, and interference.

Instead of helping us, they have tried to weaken, undermine, and shame us. AFRICOM, under Langley’s leadership, has done nothing but feed chaos and exploit the resulting instability to justify its own presence.

They apply a familiar tactic—the Hegelian Dialectic: create the problem, observe the reaction, and then offer themselves as the solution. It’s a well-worn imperialist script. As British author David Icke aptly put it, it’s the “Problem-Reaction-Solution” formula used by Western powers to manipulate and subdue the Global South.

Let’s be clear: the West—and men like Langley—are the root of Africa’s suffering. We do not need their presence. We do not need their conditional aid, veiled threats, or false promises. We do not need their hypocrisy.

We need General Langley like we need poison. Like we need Ebola. Like we need AIDS, COVID, and cancer rolled into one. We need AFRICOM in Africa like we need cockroaches and rats in our homes.

Africa is no longer your playground. No longer your slave girl to be raped, plundered, and tossed aside. We are rising. We are finding our voice. We will choose our own leaders, solve our own problems, and forge our own path.

So take your occupying forces and leave. Pack your arrogance and imperialist agenda—and never come back.

We remember what you did to Patrice Lumumba, Thomas Sankara, Sylvanus Olympio, Kwame Nkrumah, Muammar Gaddafi, Gamal Abdel Nasser, Laurent Gbagbo, Murtala Mohammed, Jerry Rawlings, Ahmed Ben Bella, Robert Mugabe, Nelson Mandela, and countless others.

We remember how you undermined ECOMOG, destroyed North Africa and the Sahel, fueled terrorism in East Africa, and empowered the Boers in Southern Africa. We remember it all.

The blood of our heroes cries out for justice, and our continent now stands ready. We are done with foreign domination. We are done with puppets. We are done with silence.

In the name of God, go—and let Africa become the continent of greatness and dignity that it was always destined to be.

About the Author:

Chief Femi Fani-Kayode is the Sadaukin Shinkafi and Wakilin Doka Potiskum. He is a lawyer, a former Minister of Culture and Tourism, and a former Minister of Aviation in Nigeria.

(https://femifanikayode.org/the-africom-commander-by-chief-femi-fani-kayode/)

A prominent Islamic organisation in Zamfara has strongly condemned the events that characterised the celebration of Governor Dauda Lawal’s second year in office.

In a statement released to journalists in Gusau on Friday, the Zamfara Ulama Defence Forum (ZUDF) expressed deep concern over what it termed “an orchestrated reintroduction of vices” into a state widely known for its commitment to Islamic law and traditional values.

According to the group, the anniversary event held in the state capital, featured musical performances accompanied by skimpily dressed female dancers, and the open consumption of alcoholic beverages — acts considered unacceptable under Islamic law and cultural norms in Zamfara.

The president of the group, Sheikh Bashir Mu’azu Marafa, said the scenes that unfolded at the celebration were “unthinkable” in a state that pioneered the implementation of Sharia law in Nigeria.

“It is both unfortunate and shameful that on the second-term anniversary of a sitting governor in a core Islamic state like Zamfara, alcohol was served, and women of questionable character were paraded on public stages in revealing clothes,” the statement reads.

“This is a clear departure from the values we hold dear as a people. Zamfara has long stood as a model for Islamic governance in Nigeria. What happened during that event is nothing short of a betrayal of the trust of the people who expected better from their leaders.”

Sheikh Marafa, a respected Islamic scholar in the state, noted that the presence of entertainers on stage with female dancers dressed in body-fitted attire and short skirts would have been enough to spark outrage in any conservative society, let alone in a state like Zamfara where modesty is a fundamental value.

“Zamfara is not Las Vegas. It is a land of honour, a land of religious discipline. For these kinds of immoral scenes to be playing out in broad daylight under the watch of our leaders is a disgrace,” the Islamic cleric said.

The group warned that the incident could signal a dangerous shift that undermines the efforts of Islamic clerics, scholars, and moral reformers who have worked tirelessly to preserve the values of modesty, morality, and spiritual uprightness in the state.

“What message are we sending to our children and the next generation when those at the top are encouraging moral decay in the name of celebration. If this is what the next four years hold, then Zamfara is on a fast path to losing its identity,” he added.

ZUDF also called on Islamic clerics across the state to speak out against what it described as “the creeping secularisation of Zamfara under Governor Lawal’s administration,” adding that silence from religious leaders at this time would amount to complicity.

“We cannot remain silent and watch Zamfara turn into a hub of entertainment and sin. This is a time for the righteous to raise their voices. We are calling on the governor to offer a public apology for this embarrassment and make a clear commitment to restoring the moral sanctity of public events in the state,” the group added.

The forum urged the state house of assembly, traditional institutions, and community-based organisations to demand accountability from the governor and his team over the coordination and content of the celebration.

“Leadership must be guided by wisdom and humility. The optics of that event were poor and have sparked dismay across the Muslim community not just in Zamfara, but across the north,” the statement added.

The group expressed appreciation to members of the public who raised concerns on social media, especially young people in the state who, it said, were “more conscious of what is right and wrong than the officials entrusted with setting the moral tone”.

“The Zamfara Ulama Defence Forum remains committed to protecting the moral integrity of our communities. We will continue to hold those in authority to account, and we will not stop speaking out against actions that threaten our values and identity as a people.”

Ogun State, Nigeria – In a display of solidarity and goodwill, Otunba Aina Nurudeen Alowonle, A Board member of the Articulate Motorcycle and Riders Association of Nigeria (AMORAN), has felicitated with Governor Dapo Abiodun as he marks his 65th birthday on May 29, 2025. The congratulatory message comes as the governor reflects on his journey of leadership, service, and commitment to the development of Ogun State.

The momentous occasion serves as a reminder of the significant milestones achieved under the governor’s administration since he took office in 2019. Known for his focus on infrastructure development, healthcare reform, and youth empowerment, Governor Abiodun has made substantial strides toward transforming the socio-economic landscape of Ogun State.

In his message, Sokoya praised the governor’s enduring vision for the state, emphasizing his dedication to ensuring a better quality of life for the citizens of Ogun. “As you celebrate this significant milestone in your life, we at AMORAN recognize your commitment to promoting unity, peace, and progress in our state,” he stated.

Otunba Alowonle highlighted the strong partnership between the Ogun State government and AMORAN, underlining the importance of collaboration in addressing the challenges faced by the motorcycle and transport sector. “On this special day, we are reminded of your efforts to create an enabling environment for the transportation industry, ensuring safety and governance that prioritizes the welfare of all riders,” he added.