United States Congressman Gregory W. Meeks (NY), Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee (Credit: uscongress)

By  Gary  Raynaldo     DIPLOMATIC  TIMES

House Foreign Affairs Committee Ranking Member Gregory W. Meeks visited the headquarters of AFRICOM in Stuttgart, Germany while on a bipartisan delegation this week. The delegation received a classified briefing from AFRICOM Deputy Commander Lieutenant General John Brennan. “The briefing focused on the actions by the Houthis in the Red Sea, counterterrorism operations on the continent, malign actions by Russia and China throughout Africa and the threats they pose,” according to a statement from the HFAC. The delegation included House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul, Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, House Rules Committee Ranking Member Jim McGovern, Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, and Subcommittee on the Indo-Pacific Ranking Member Ami Bera.

“I’m grateful to have heard directly from AFRICOM as conflicts, coups, terrorist activity and malign influence by Russia and China have created a challenging strategic environment in the region,” said Ranking Member Meeks. “The work of AFRICOM and of our State Department and USAID in the region is a critical tool to help combat sources of instability and it is imperative we provide them with sufficient resources so that the United States and governments on the Continent of Africa can meet these challenges.”

Chairman Michael McCaul said: “Africa is the fastest growing continent and security is changing rapidly. It is clear that under AFRICOM’s leadership, the United States is building new partnerships and expanding relationships with allies while staying focused on strategic issues that affect U.S. national security.”  The Iranian-backed Houthis have been attacking ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden since November in solidarity with Palestinians amid the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, triggering retaliatory U.S. strikes against the group. The U.S. Biden Administration in January returned the Yemen-based Houthi rebels to a list of terrorist groups.  The attacks have disrupted global shipping, forcing firms to re-route to longer and more expensive journeys around southern Africa.  

The withdrawal of U.S. troops from west Africa nation Niger is also of concern amid reports that Russian troops entered the airbase where American soldiers were stationed.