Army General Stephen Townsend, the commander of US Africa Command (AFRICOM), denounced the “growing trend of unconstitutional and military-led changes of government” on the continent in his opening remarks Tuesday at the African Chiefs of Defense conference in Rome, Italy. Around three dozen defence chiefs or their representatives from across the continent attended this year’s conference on the theme of “shared investment for shared future.”
US cuts aid to Burkina Faso as AFRICOM chief warns African defense chiefs against coups

The top US military commander for Africa this week urged African military leaders to “stay out of politics” and warned them that the recent spate of coups is jeopardizing American security assistance to the continent.