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Outgoing commander’s expected June trip to Hargeisa follows dramatic reversal on Somalia security claims
The Trump administration has nominated Air Force Lt. Gen. Dagvin Anderson to replace Marine Gen. Michael Langley at Africa Command, setting the stage for a leadership transition as Langley prepares for what sources say will be a long-awaited visit to Somaliland in June.
Anderson’s nomination, announced by the Pentagon on Wednesday, comes at a particularly awkward moment. Just days ago, Langley publicly admitted that Al-Shabaab remains “entrenched, wealthy and large” in Somalia despite billions in U.S. assistance. The admission represents a reversal from his earlier optimism—and raises questions about Anderson’s own track record of assessments.
Somaliland Visit Finally Taking Shape
A senior Somaliland government official, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, confirmed that discussions about Langley’s visit have been ongoing for months, although no firm dates have been finalized. The visit preparations have reportedly intensified following President Cirro’s inauguration.
The visit would mark the highest-level AFRICOM engagement with Somaliland since Gen. Stephen Townsend toured Berbera’s strategic facilities in 2022. For Hargeisa, which has lobbied intensively for greater U.S. military cooperation, Langley’s trip represents a potential breakthrough—especially given his newfound skepticism about Mogadishu’s capabilities.
AFRICOM did not respond to request for information on the matter.
From Optimism to Reality Check
The contrast between Langley’s current assessment and his previous statements is striking. When Somaliland Chronicle asked him last June about signs of Al-Shabaab’s resurgence, Langley described himself as “measuredly optimistic” and pointed to joint operations with Somali forces as evidence the militant group was weakening.
That optimism evaporated after Al-Shabaab overran Adan Yabal, sending U.S.-trained Danab special forces fleeing and capturing millions in American-supplied equipment. In his final remarks from Nairobi, Langley acknowledged that Al-Shabaab remains “entrenched, wealthy and large” despite decades of U.S. assistance.
Anderson’s Baggage
If confirmed by the Senate, Anderson would become the first Air Force officer to lead AFRICOM. But his nomination carries its own complications. As commander of Special Operations Command Africa from 2019 to 2021, Anderson repeatedly praised Somali forces’ capabilities.
In May 2021, just months before leaving the position, Anderson stated that “Somali forces continuously show their advancing capability, fighting back and repelling violent extremist organizations.” Those forces he praised? The same Danab units that abandoned their positions at Adan Yabal last week.
Earlier in 2021, Anderson also led the first U.S. engagement in Somalia following troop repositioning, affirming commitment to “our Somali and regional partners and support their fight against violent extremism.”
Senate Armed Services Committee members are expected to grill Anderson about these assessments during confirmation hearings. With Congress already moving to slash Somalia funding—Sen. Jim Risch’s new legislation would impose strict conditions on peacekeeping money—Anderson will face tough questions about his judgment.
Berbera Back in Play?
For Somaliland, the leadership change at AFRICOM could’nt come at a better time. President Cirro’s administration has made expanding military partnerships a priority, and Berbera’s strategic location on the Gulf of Aden remains a compelling asset for any serious U.S. strategy in the region.
The timing is particularly significant given China’s growing influence in the region. Somalia’s recent decision to ban Taiwanese passport holders—a clear nod to Beijing—has raised concerns in Washington. Combined with the loss of U.S. military access in Niger, AFRICOM faces a shrinking footprint across Africa.
Corruption and Consequences
The Trump administration’s decision to cut funding for Somali forces, including canceling $400 monthly salary supplements for Danab soldiers, followed damning audits revealing widespread corruption. Officials discovered padded fuel requisitions, phantom soldiers on payrolls, and food rations being sold on the black market.
These revelations supported longstanding Somaliland arguments about international aid effectiveness in Mogadishu. The international community has invested heavily in Somalia for decades with limited improvement.
Anderson, a Michigan native commissioned in 1992, holds a masters degree from Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. His background includes stints as deputy director for operations at Indo-Pacific Command and overseeing the controversial withdrawal of U.S. forces from Somalia in 2020-21.
What’s Next
As Langley prepares for his Somaliland visit—assuming it actually happens this time—the question becomes whether Anderson will continue this engagement or revert to the traditional Somalia-first approach that has dominated U.S. policy for three decades.
Somaliland Chronicle first reported in December that Langley was “set to visit Somaliland in the coming days,” citing sources familiar with internal deliberations. That visit, expected amid what the publication described as “a notable shift in U.S. foreign policy dynamics,” ultimately did not materialize.
The Senate has yet to schedule Anderson’s confirmation hearing, but the combination of his past statements, Langley’s reversal, and Congress’ growing skepticism about Somalia aid suggests it won’t be a smooth process.
One thing seems certain: whoever leads AFRICOM next will inherit a Somalia policy facing significant challenges and a Somaliland seeking greater recognition. After 30 years of substantial investment in Mogadishu with limited results, Washington may be reconsidering its regional approach.
