The United States is preparing long-term assistance for the Ivory Coast, Benin and Togo as concerns rise that jihadi violence in the Sahel could spill into coastal West Africa, officials said. Vice President Kamala Harris, visiting Ghana last month as part of a growing U.S. push in Africa, promised $100 million over 10 years to reinforce resilience in coastal West Africa. In a new global strategy to prevent conflict and promote stability, President Joe Biden’s administration identified coastal West Africa as a priority for the coming decade. “It’s a significant and burgeoning threat,” said Michael Heath, the deputy assistant secretary of state in charge of West Africa. “They’re not yet in the coastal West African states, but we know they’re looking for opportunities to take advantage of instability wherever they see it,” he said.

Source: The North Africa Journal April 08, 2023 11:06 UTC