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The continent of Africa is at the center of many of the most critical American security concerns. Global threats have become more complex, with violent extremist organizations (VEOs) expanding their reach and near-peer competitors challenging the rules-based international system. These threats are converging on the African continent, and a security dilemma involving insurgencies, coups, natural disasters, and poor governance has plagued Africa for years. However, U.S.-led efforts to stabilize the continent have not been effective, and competitors such as China and Russia are filling the gaps left by the U.S. This essay argues that the U.S. should prioritize supporting and strengthening African Regional Economic Communities (RECs) to address African security concerns more effectively. Multilateral military cooperation through the Southern African Development Community (SADC) has shown some success in combatting VEOs, and prioritizing and supporting regional cooperation can be a potentially cheaper, wider-reaching, and more effective U.S. strategy in Africa. By analyzing statistics, quantitative and qualitative research, testimony before congress, and official U.S. strategies, this essay highlights the importance of Africa to the future of American security. If the U.S. does not adjust its current strategy to produce better and longer-lasting results, it risks losing credibility as the premier security partner on the African continent. More concerning, the U.S. risks losing the enormous economic and political benefits that will depend on relationships with African nations. With increasing influence from China and Russia, the U.S. must act quickly to support regional cooperation in Africa to ensure a secure, stable, and friendly continent that is crucial to American security.