List Of African Countries With US Military Bases, Their Importance

• US President Joe Biden recently declared Kenya as the only sub-Saharan African country with the title of major non-NATO ally
• The US will provide Kenya with 16 military helicopters and has invested KSh 30 billion in Kenya's defence sector since 2020
• The US has several known military bases in Africa, supporting various security and counterterrorism operations, while other bases remain classified

Muyela Roberto is a seasoned journalist at TUKO.co.ke, boasting over nine years of experience in the digital media landscape. He possesses extensive expertise in financial reporting and is adept at editing

The US has named Kenya as a major non-NATO ally and extension of this status by Washington to Nairobi is a major milestone in US security operations.

Following the announcement by US President Joe Biden, Kenya now becomes the only country in sub-Saharan Africa to receive such a designation, especially at a time when Russia's influence is growing in Africa.

By receiving a major non-NATO ally title, Kenya becomes a strategic location for tighter security operations with the US. Kenya has also been in a position to get more sophisticated weapons from US.

What is NATO?

Major Non-NATO Ally (MNNA) is a title that the US government gives to countries that work closely with the US military but are not part of NATO. It’s like being a special friend who helps out but isn’t officially in the club.

NATO, or the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, is a military alliance formed in 1949 by United States, Canada, and several Western European nations. It was originally set up to balance the power of the Soviet armies in central and eastern Europe after World War II.

After the Cold War ended, NATO shifted its focus and became more of a cooperative-security organisation.

Already, President William Ruto has announced that the US will give Kenya at least 16 military helicopters with combat systems.

Since 2020, the US has invested at least KSh 30 billion in Kenya's defence sector, according to a fact sheet shared by President Biden during Ruto's state visit to the US.

To ease its security operations, the US has military bases in Africa. The bases play a critical role in helping the US protect its allies and also protect its citizens working around the continent.

According to The Gun Zone, there are about 34 known US military bases in Africa. There could be more or less since some security operations are classified.

1. The largest base is Camp Lemonnaier, Djibouti

Camp Lemonnier supports U.S. military operations and security in the region, according to information on US Navy website.

It helps prepare ships, aircraft, and personnel for missions in the Horn of Africa.

The base is run by the US Navy and supports about 4,000 military and civilian personnel, plus 1,000 local and international workers.

2. Manda Bay, Kenya

Manda Bay is located on the Indian Ocean Coastline in the Lamu archipelago.

It hosts US troops and equipment. It became prominent during the Manda Bay attack on January 5, 2020.

Between 30 and 40 al-Shabab fighters launched an attack on Cooperative Security Location Manda Bay.

The attack resulted in the deaths of three US security officers and the destruction of six U.S. aircraft, one aircraft owned by the KDF, and several vehicles, according to the U.S. Department of Defence.

3. Niger

The U.S. operates several bases in Niger, including Air Base 201 near Agadez and a facility in the capital, Niamey.

However, their fate will be in limbo post-September 2024 following the Pentagon's withdrawal of 1000 troops from Niger.

The withdrawal has been linked to a growing alliance between Russia and Niger.

4. Somalia

The presence of US bases in Somalia is not very clear. This is because the US has had an on-and-off presence in Somalia in its efforts to eliminate al-Shabaab.

Some observers, however, believe there could be secret bases in Somalia.

5. Cameroon

There are US military personnel in Cameroon in locations like Garoua who are involved in training and assisting local forces in counterterrorism efforts, particularly against Boko Haram.

6. Chad

US troops have operated from locations in Chad. This is particularly in support of operations against terrorist groups in the Sahel region.

7. Egypt

In Egypt, the US is associated with the Multinational Force & Observers (MFO); an international peacekeeping team.

It was established to ensure compliance with the 1979 peace treaty between Israel and Egypt.

The US military also operates a naval medical research unit in Cairo, called Namru, which focuses on researching and preventing infectious diseases.

Why does US mount bases in Africa?

The US positions troops in Africa as a strategic location to protect its African allies. Some bases are permanent, while others are temporary and are established through bilateral agreements.

However, the book US Military Bases in Africa explains that Africa is located between the Far East and America. This makes it an alternate air and sea route to the Far East and Middle East.

"US has established naval and air facilities in Africa in order to ensure free and secure flow of Persian Gulf and Southern African fuel and non-fuel minerals to the industrial West.

"The first phase of the presence of US bases in Africa came to an end by early 1970s, mainly due to public pressure and changes in government in the host countries," according to Mangi, L. (1987). US Military Bases in Africa. Pakistan Horizon, 40(2), 95–102. http://www.jstor.org/stable/41394247

Proofreading by Mercy Nyambura Guthua, journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke

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KENYA-US-MARINES-EXERCISES

Kenyan military troops and US marines.

views of US Military Base Camp Lemonnier in Djibouti