West African countries including Benin will be able to benefit from financial aid of 100 million dollars from the United States to fight against the jihadist threat.
Faced with the threat of extremism, the United States announced financial assistance for the benefit of the countries of the Sahel. On a visit to Accra (Ghana) last March, the American Vice-President Kamala Harris spoke of aid of 100 million dollars over 10 years. According to the Assistant Secretary of State for West Africa, Michael Heath, terrorism is a matter of concern for the United States “because of the capacities of the governments in place which have never been confronted to such a threat. According to “Jeune Afrique”, officials from the US State Department indicated on April 7 that “the United States is preparing long-term aid for Côte d’Ivoire, Benin and Togo”. The support of the United States also aims to prevent “the progression of mercenaries from the Russian private security company Wagner, deployed in particular in Mali”.
“They are not yet present in the West African coastal countries but we know they are looking for opportunities to take advantage of instability wherever they find it,” said Michael Heath. A recent visit was made by officials to West Africa to assess the needs of countries facing the terrorist threat.
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April 9, 2023 by