By Sabiu Abdullahi
United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken declared on Tuesday an additional $45 million in aid dedicated to West African nations, intensifying efforts to address the persistent instability in the region.
This financial commitment builds on the ongoing initiative, bringing the total funding under the year-old programme to nearly $300 million.
During a comprehensive tour of African democracies, Blinken engaged in separate discussions with Nigerian President Bola Tinubu and Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara.
The focal points of these conversations revolved around strengthening US-African collaborations across a spectrum of vital sectors such as trade, climate, infrastructure, health, and security.
The purpose of the visit was to facilitate progress in dealing with coups and extremism in West Africa, with Blinken singling out Ivory Coast as an exemplary model.
While in Abidjan, he lauded the country’s resolute stance against the coup in Niger and its innovative strategy of “building security together.”
This approach involves strategic economic investments to counter extremism in the northern regions bordering Mali and Burkina Faso.
Standing alongside President Ouattara, Blinken commended Ivory Coast’s community-centric tactics, stating, “I think that can serve as a very powerful model for other countries.”
Addressing mutual security challenges, Blinken expressed gratitude for Ivory Coast’s leadership in countering extremism and violence.
The US Secretary of State unveiled plans to intensify cooperation on the ground with Ivory Coast, with a focus on expanded military training and increased investments in civil protection.
Discussing the prevailing security challenges in Africa, including the coup in Niger and the ongoing terrorism in Nigeria, Blinken emphasised the imperative for collaborative efforts.
The United States aims to provide support to affected nations, bolstering their capacity to effectively counteract security threats.
This announcement comes at a crucial juncture when security concerns persist in the region, with notable incidents like the Christmas Eve killings in Plateau, Nigeria, and the pervasive kidnapping epidemic.