The United States is taking a firm stand against terrorism in West Africa, following a recent visit by senior officials from the State Department to the region. Côte d’Ivoire, Togo, and Benin have been identified as countries in need of support, as their governments have never faced such a threat before.
According to Michael Heath, Secretary of State in charge of the sub-region, the jihadist threat in these countries is “budding,” and Washington is committed to providing long-term aid to help combat it. The US government is currently evaluating the tools and resources required by these countries to effectively address the situation.
Gregory LoGerfo, in charge of terrorism at the State Department, emphasized the need for a comprehensive approach and good governance in dealing with the issue. The northern territories of these countries have limited resources, and the US government aims to help the most interested governments with their efforts.
This move by the US follows an announcement made by Vice President Kamala Harris in March, promising $100 million over the next decade to strengthen the resilience of coastal regions in West Africa. The aid is not exclusively focused on the military, with a particular emphasis on strengthening legal frameworks to distinguish between refugees fleeing the Sahel and security threats.
The US government’s efforts are also in response to the presence of Russian paramilitaries of Wagner, who are expanding their influence in the region. Although they are not currently present in these three countries, they are known to take advantage of instability wherever they find it.