Amidst Africa’s rallying for freedom from neo-colonialism, Kenya’s Ruto hosting of American General Langley revisited
By KEMI KASUMU
“However, the timing and tone of the visit generated backlash from Pan-African leaders and commentators, particularly in the light of recent allegations that General Langley had made threatening remarks about Burkina Faso’s transitional leader, Captain Ibrahim Traoré.”
American Army General Michael Langley’s recent visit during which he was warmly received in Kenya by President William Ruto has been revisited amidst celebration of Africa Day 2025, The DEFENDER has gathered.
“I am in Kenya to collaborate with our partner and enhance security in Kenya and, by extension, the entire African continent,” said Geberal Langley, who visited earlier this month of May, was gathered to have said.
This development comes at a time when Africans, particularly the youth, have been advocating for the departure of all foreign troops from the African continent and for African states to unite, form their own army, adopt a single currency, passport, and facilitate free trade movement to compete on the global stage.
READ ALSO: Thumb up for Burkinabe Traore, as AU marks Africa Day 2025, calls for justice, unity
Although Langley had visited around May 2, question, elicited by it, on the lips of many till now is: “Does Langley’s visit to Kenya in favour of Africa interests?”
Only on Sunday May 25, 2025 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, headquarters of the African Union (AU), African heads of state gathered celebrating the Africa Day 2025 that is 62nd anniversary of AU with a renewed call for justice, unity, and shared progress for the continent, thus making the course started by young Army Captain Ibrahim Traore as President of the Burkina Faso much more desired by all Africans.
Speaking on behalf of the African Union Commission (AUC) at the 62nd AU Day, His Excellency Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the AUC, delivered a stirring address that reflected on Africa’s historic journey while calling for bold steps toward a just and prosperous future.
READ ALSO: Burkina Faso’s President present as Russia marks Victory Day with show of strength
This by the African Union has been described as a bold step in confirmation of the revolutionary movement already started and gaining a spread from the now 36-year-old President of Burkina Faso, Captain Ibrahim Traore, who came to power in 2022 with a clear reason of not only liberating his country but also Africa from the decades-long hegemony of neo-colonialism.
The Burkinabe President Traore, who along with Mali and Niger has since pulled out of the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) and have gone to form their own Alliance of Sahel States (AES), has currently gained support in the New World Order led by Russia and China. AES, which is yet a new bloc in the context of African politics, is an acronym for Alliance des Etats du Sahel.
It would be recalled that President Vladimir Putin of Russia had to dispatch a special plane accompanied by fighter jets from Moscow to fly President Ibrahim Traore from Ouagadougou, capital of Burkina Faso, to underscore his attendance and participation in activities of this year’s Victory Day in celebration of defeat of the Nacists.
Such treatment to Traore was done, not only in recognition of him as a revolutionary president of Burkina Faso, but to underscore his importance and prove to the world that he is not just an ally but a top priority for the emerging New World Order.
READ ALSO: Why Burkina Faso’s leader has captured hearts and minds around the world – BBC
In celebrating the Africa Day 2025 in Ghana, the good people of the former Gold Coast trooped to the streets to express their support for the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), the new regional bloc in West Africa being championed by the three former ECOWAS countries: Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso.
This year’s theme, “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent through Reparations,” according to AU in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, honours honours the memory of those who suffered under slavery and colonialism, while asserting the right of Africa and its diaspora to truth, justice, and restoration.
“While justice and reparations remain long overdue,” the Chairperson affirmed, “Africa will not be held hostage by the pain of its past.”
He continued, “Africa continues to sacrifice and strive towards freedom from conflict, underdevelopment, and war. The continent is steadily building a future of peace, prosperity, and integration.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin had extended his regards to the heads of state across Africa on the occasion of Africa Day, expressing confidence that joint efforts would lead to the further strengthening of Russia-Africa relations, the Kremlin press service reported on Sunday a day after the May 24 celebrations.
It would be recalled that President Putin had to dispatch a special plane, accompanied by fighter jets, from Moscow to fly President Ibrahim Traore from Ouagadougou, capital of Burkina Faso, recently to underscore his attendance and participation in activities of this year’s Victory Day in celebration of victory against the Nacists.
“I am confident that through joint efforts we will ensure the further expansion of multifaceted Russian-African ties for the benefit of our peoples, in the interests of building a fair and democratic multipolar world order,” the president stated.
“This year is marked by anniversaries: the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II and the formation of the United Nations, as well as the 65th anniversary of the adoption of the UN Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples,” Putin noted.
He emphasized that the defeat of Nazism and the dismantling of the colonial system were among the defining events of the 20th century, enabling nations around the world to pursue peaceful and independent development.
The Russian president also praised the progress made by African countries since gaining independence, saying they had “achieved recognized success in the economic and social spheres.” He underscored the role of the African Union and regional organizations in promoting security and stability on the continent.
Putin reiterated that Russia has consistently advocated for deepening traditionally friendly relations with African nations. “This is fully evidenced by the Russia-Africa summits held in 2019 and 2023, which made it possible to identify new areas of cooperation and facilitated the coordination of efforts in international affairs,” the president added.
As Africa Day 2025 is marked across the continent and in the diaspora, the African Union calls on all Africans to stand tall in their identity, to pursue justice with courage, and to shape the continent’s future with confidence and pride.
In his message to Africans at the celebrations, President of the Republic of Ghana, Mr. John Dramant Mahama, he said, “For too long the legacy of slavery, colonialism and neo-colonialism has cast long shadow on the lives and progress of Africans and people of African descent. These historical injustices have left deep scars.”
President Mahama announced his “call upon my colleague African leaders, the civil society organisations, the youth groups and members of the Diaspora to join hands in this important endeavour. Let us work together to the future where justice prevails, where the wounds of the past are healed and where the potential of every African and person if African descent is fully realised.
“Let Africa Day 2025 be a turning point. Let us reaffirm our commitment to building a continent of prosperity, opportunity and equality for all our people. Let the pursuit of reparation be a testament to our resilience, our determination and our unwavering belief in a brighter future.”
A member of a Pan-African group, who reacted to the revisited report of the American General’s visit being hosted in Nairobi by Ruto, said although it happened much earlier before the broadcast address by Ghana’s president John Dramant Mahama, the Kenyan President is describable as a good example of western puppets the neo-colonialists imposed on the African peoples as their respective presidents sabotaging effort of the continent to develop and move forward.
“To me, I see that visit by the American General, Langley, as a daring attempt to tell our continent ‘what can you do?’ and also to wittingly or unwittingly expose to us who the puppet leaders working for western powers to ensure that African nations do not free from neo-colonialism truly are. For now, clearly, we see that Kenyan President William Ruto is one of them.”
It will be recalled that the Kenyan government, a Zimbabwean new medium reported May 2, came under fire from several African quarters after warmly receiving United States General Michael Langley, the head of the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), for a high-level meeting in Nairobi.
The visit, described by officials as a strategic engagement, had sparked regional and African continental concerns over Kenya’s deepening military and political alignment with the United States.
General Langley, a key figure in the US defence operations on the continent, was hosted by top Kenyan defence officials in a show of bilateral cooperation. The Kenyan Ministry of Defence stated the talks focused on regional security, counter-terrorism efforts, and continued collaboration on military training.
“The Republic of Kenya reaffirms its commitment to peace and stability in the Horn of Africa through enduring partnerships,” read a statement from the ministry.
However, the timing and tone of the visit generated backlash from Pan-African leaders and commentators, particularly in the light of recent allegations that General Langley had made threatening remarks about Burkina Faso’s transitional leader, Captain Ibrahim Traoré.
The diplomatic embrace of Langley by Kenya under Ruto had angered critics across Africa, who saw it as further evidence of Kenya acting as a Western military outpost on the continent. Social media was awash with criticism, with many Africans accusing Nairobi of undermining continental unity and enabling neo-colonial tactics.
