On 15th August 2025, Chief of the Defence Forces (CDF) General Charles M. Kahariri was among the distinguished guests who attended the United States Africa Command (US AFRICOM) change of command ceremony at AFRICOM Headquarters in Stuttgart, Germany.
The ceremony marked the official handover of command from General Michael E. Langley to General Dagvin R. M. Anderson, presided over by Admiral Christopher W. Grady, Vice Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff.
In his remarks, Admiral Grady praised General Langley for four decades of distinguished service in both operational and strategic roles. General Langley, in his farewell address, highlighted the vital support of African Chiefs of Defence in advancing regional stability and emphasized the importance of enduring partnerships. He commended Kenya, a designated Major Non-NATO Ally, for its steadfast cooperation in counter-terrorism efforts and expressed appreciation to General Kahariri for co-hosting the 2025 African Chiefs of Defence (ACHOD) Conference.
General Langley’s tenure is particularly remembered for institutionalizing the ACHOD Conference on the African continent, first hosted in Botswana (2024) and later in Kenya (2025). His successor, General Anderson, pledged to build on these achievements, leveraging his prior AFRICOM experience to strengthen partnerships and address prevailing peace and security challenges across Africa.
Established in 2007, AFRICOM is one of six U.S. geographic combatant commands and serves as the primary platform for U.S. military engagement with African nations, the African Union, and regional organizations. Its mandate spans 53 African countries and adjacent waters, supporting joint operations, exercises, and capacity-building initiatives aligned with U.S. foreign policy objectives.
The change of command underscores the continuity of U.S. strategic commitment to Africa and the central role of key partners such as Kenya in shaping a collaborative security framework to counter evolving transnational threats.
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