"We are not going to totally withdraw forces from Africa... The U.S. currently has around 6,000 military personnel in Africa, and the possibility of cuts has alarmed France, which relies on U.S. intelligence and logistics for its military operation in the Sahel. The Sahel region, one of the most volatile and impoverished regions in the world, is beset by growing threats of terrorism. Infamous terrorist organizations such as Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) and Boko Haram, ISIL in West Africa, have been actively operating throughout and beyond the region. The French military presence is in accordance with Operation Barkhane, a joint counterterrorism operation formed with the G5 Sahel states.

Source: The North Africa Journal January 31, 2020 06:45 UTC