Camp Lemonnier

AFRICOM: China, Russia Expanding Influence in Africa

Chinese sailors at the People’s Liberation Army Navy base in Djibouti in 2019. Xinhua Photo

China’s ambitions in Africa are long-term and range from power plants and port investment to new military bases, but Russia, through its use of mercenaries like the Wagner Group, is propping up autocratic regimes and strives for immediate influence across the continent from Libya to Central Africa, the Pentagon’s top commander for the continent said Tuesday.

Army Gen. Stephen Townsend testified, “It was...

https://news.usni.org/2022/03/15/africom-china-russia-expanding-influence-in-africa

AFRICOM: Chinese Naval Base in Africa Set to Support Aircraft Carriers

Chinese sailors watch a People’s LIberation Army Navy (PLAN) pull into Djibouti. Xinhua Photo

A recently completed pier at the Chinese naval base near the entrance to the Red Sea is large enough to support an aircraft carrier, the top U.S. commander for Africa told lawmakers on Tuesday.

Referring to the Chines naval base in Djibouti, U.S. Africa Commander Army Gen. Stephen Townsend told the House Armed Services Committee that the People’s Liberation Army was expanding its existing naval...

https://news.usni.org/2021/04/20/africom-chinese-naval-base-in-africa-set-to-support-aircraft-carriers