FACT CHECK: No, AFRICOM Did Not Publish This Memo About Libyan General

Elias Atienza | Senior Reporter

A post shared on X claims that U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) published a memo calling Libyan general Khalifa Haftar “arrogant.”

Verdict: False

AFRICOM denied the memo was real. There is no evidence that AFRICOM published this memo.

Fact Check:

Social media users have been sharing an alleged memo from AFRICOM disparaging Haftar. One user partially wrote, “An internal memo submitted to the US Department of Defense by the commander of the US Africa Command (AFRICOM), General Michael E. Langley, revealed the latter’s displeasure regarding his recent meeting with the commander of the General Command, Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar.”

There is no evidence that AFRICOM sent this memo. If AFRICOM had sent the memo, media outlets would have covered it, yet none have. A wider internet search also did not yield any results.

AFRICOM denied the claim in a Sept. 3 tweet.

“FAKE: This memo is fake and clearly designed to deceive the Libyan people at an important moment. Our official press release can be found here,” reads the tweet.

The press release is about AFRICOM commander Marine Corps Gen. Michael Langley visiting Libya. Nowhere in the press release does it show Langley disparaging Haftar.

The U.S. Embassy in Libya also denied the claim in a Sept. 3 tweet. (RELATED: No, C-SPAN Did Not Broadcast JD Vance Speech With ‘Single Person Clapping’ Subtitle)

“This fake document is clearly designed to deceive the Libyan people at an important moment in the political process. The United States rejects such attempts to falsify our positions and sow disunity. # Libya’s stability and sovereignty depend on unity. We will continue to engage with Libyan stakeholders throughout all parts of the country,” reads the tweet. 

Elias Atienza

Senior Reporter
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