US top diplomat Antony J. Blinken announced Tuesday January 23 a pledge of $45 million in funding for security in West Africa, a region reeling with terrorism activities in some of its countries. Blinken made the announcement in Cote d’Ivoire as he met with President Alassane Ouattara in the capital, Abidjan. “We appreciate particularly the leadership shown by Cote d’Ivoire in countering extremism and violence”, underlined the US top diplomat. Ouattara said security in the region is “difficult and we appreciate the US for all their support in countering terrorism”. Cote d’Ivoire was the second stop of Blinken on his African tour that started from Cape Verde.
