Washington, Jan 27, 2020 – French Armed Forces Minister Florence Parly warned Monday that expected cuts to the Pentagon’s African operations would hamper efforts against jihadist groups, especially in the Sahel region. But US Secretary of Defense Mark Esper made clear that the United States was prepared to reduce its global military footprint and that African operations could be affected — while giving no details about how severely. And I have expressed the hope of both the United States and France will keep on supporting them,” she added. The US Defense Department wants to focus its forces on what it sees as priority threats, starting with China and Russia. “France has been a great leader in the Sahel,” Esper told reporters.

Source: The North Africa Journal January 27, 2020 20:26 UTC