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General Stephen Townsend’s Comments on China Are Not Helping the U.S. Cause in Africa

by Eric Olander
U.S. Army General Stephen Townsend, commander, U.S. Africa Command, speaking to Marines aboard the USS Makin Island. Image via AFRICOM.

The top commander for U.S. forces in Africa (AFRICOM), General Stephen Townsend, thought it would be a good idea to re-surface the old trope that China is looking to build a new military outpost in Africa, this time on the West Coast.

Just as Secretary of State Antony Blinken re-hashed 10-year-old talking points when he spoke of China’s engagement in Africa during an online event two weeks ago, General Townsend is trafficking in equally stale rumors that date back at least 7 years, if not longer.

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