African Lion 2025, one of the largest U.S.–led military exercises on the African continent, officially commenced in Tunisia on April 14, bringing together over 10,000 troops from more than 40 nations.
The exercise is set to take place in two phases, with Tunisia hosting the initial run until April 30, underscoring its strategic position at the southern edge of the Mediterranean and near the volatile Sahel region.
This makes Tunisia an ideal location for large-scale live-fire drills, command-post simulations, intelligence-sharing sessions, and training in humanitarian assistance.
The exercise not only emphasizes NATO and American investment in regional security but also highlights a concerning paradox: the United States is bolstering military ties with a nation whose government is moving away from democratic norms.
President Trump has focused on rebuilding American military readiness and revitalizing alliances, with African Lion 2025 squarely within this agenda.
This yearly collaboration is aimed at enhancing interoperability between U.S. forces and their partners across Africa and Europe.
Among the participants are elite units like the 173rd Airborne Brigade, which is conducting airborne drills alongside Tunisian paratroopers, and the Wyoming National Guard’s 84th Civil Support Team, leading joint exercises to address chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats.
Live-fire artillery exercises, featuring the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, further emphasize the scale and intensity of these operations.
The exercise serves as a clear signal to adversaries such as Moscow and Beijing, demonstrating that the United States maintains both the capability and determination to project power, protect allies, and deter malign influence in the African region.
However, the political climate in Tunisia under President Kais Saied complicates these operational achievements.
Since taking emergency powers in July 2021, Saied has systematically unaffiliated democratic institutions, sidelined elected bodies, restricted independent media, and violated human rights—all under the guise of fighting corruption and terrorism.
What was once viewed as the Arab Spring’s only democratic success has descended into a state of authoritarian rule.
By designating Tunisia as a major non-NATO ally and continuing military cooperation through exercises like African Lion, the United States risks conveying a confusing message: that strategic interests may supersede support for democratic values.
It is crucial to differentiate tactical necessity from political endorsement.
Tunisia’s value as a military allied partner stems from its resources—airfields, ports, and desert training grounds—not from the legitimacy of its current leadership.
As the exercise progresses, Washington has the opportunity to leverage it as a platform to advocate for political reforms, conditioning future security assistance on tangible actions aimed at reinstating judicial independence, safeguarding civil liberties, and facilitating free elections.
Neglecting to take such steps would not only undermine American values but also weaken U.S. credibility, especially in the face of authoritarian competitors eager to exploit any perceived hypocrisy as they expand their influence through opaque infrastructure loans and private military contractor deployments.
Furthermore, African Lion 2025 reflects a broader contest for influence throughout Africa.
The Russian Wagner Group has entrenched itself in countries like Mali, Sudan, and the Central African Republic, providing military assistance in exchange for access to mineral resources and political concessions.
Meanwhile, China continues to extend its presence through port deals, railway projects, and dual-use infrastructure that could support naval operations.
In stark contrast, America’s approach prioritizes joint training, interoperability, and humanitarian cooperation, showcasing how partnerships grounded in shared values and mutual respect can yield security benefits without falling into debt traps or endorsing authoritarian regimes.
However, this cooperative model hinges on Washington holding its partners accountable.
Tunisian leaders are likely to use African Lion 2025 as a means to promote their government’s legitimacy and competence.
The White House is called upon to resist such narratives, making it known that U.S. cooperation aims to enhance military professionalism while not condoning political repression.
Linking future security grants, equipment transfers, and training opportunities to human rights benchmarks would recalibrate U.S.-Tunisia relations and send a direct message to Saied’s regime that military cooperation comes with expectations.
Ultimately, African Lion 2025 serves as a crucial test of U.S. commitments.
It embodies American resolve to partner with African nations for stability, counter authoritarian influence, and boost collective readiness.
Simultaneously, it poses a challenge for the U.S.: will it uphold its democratic ideals while collaborating with a partner whose leadership is increasingly disregarding the rule of law?
The response to this question will significantly influence not only the outcome of the current exercise but also the future trajectory of U.S. engagement in North Africa and the Sahel.
image source from：https://www.meforum.org/mef-online/how-washingtons-biggest-drill-exposes-tunisias-democratic-decay
