ABSTRACT
This chapter argues that the United States (US) has unavoidably intervened in African conflicts purposely to secure its economic and geopolitical interests rather than any altruistic motive to promote peace and stability as a responsible global power. America’s footprint on the African continent has been well documented. The demise of the Cold War provided the US unprecedented opportunities but also obstacles in the pursuance of its interest in Africa. US security assistance to individual African states involves direct military/special operations and various activities, including military training and equipment programmes, intelligence support, education, and professionalization initiatives. Many African militaries in countries such as Uganda, Cameroon, Nigeria, Chad, Ethiopia, and Kenya have also benefited immensely from US military training and exercises, equipment, intelligence, and special operations forces capabilities to respond to crises and fight conflicts. An example is a Cameroonian government led by President Paul Biya, who has been in power for more than three decades.
