Kamala Harris Pledges $100 Million to West Africa Nations to Fight Extremist Threat Vice President Kamala Harris announced Monday that the U.S. will p…

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Kamala Harris Pledges $100 Million to West Africa Nations to Fight Extremist Threat

On Monday, Vice President Kamala Harris announced that the United States will provide $100 million in aid to West African countries to help them combat the growing threat of extremist violence in the region.

Harris made the announcement during a speech at the United States Institute of Peace, where she emphasized the importance of addressing the root causes of extremism and instability in the region.

“Addressing the root causes of conflict is not only the right thing to do, it’s the smart thing to do,” Harris said. “It’s the right thing to do because it’s a moral imperative. And it’s the smart thing to do because building stable and prosperous societies in West Africa is in our national security interests.”

The $100 million aid package will be focused on five countries in the Sahel region of West Africa: Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, and Niger. These countries have been hit hard by extremist violence in recent years, with groups such as Boko Haram, ISIS, and Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) launching numerous attacks on civilians and military targets.

The aid package will include support for efforts to improve governance, promote economic development, and strengthen security forces in the region. It will also fund initiatives to counter violent extremism and provide humanitarian assistance to those affected by the conflict.

Harris said the aid package is part of the Biden administration’s broader strategy for Africa, which includes a focus on promoting democracy, human rights, and economic growth on the continent.

“We know that when we invest in the dignity and security of people on the African continent, we are investing in our own future,” Harris said. “By helping to build stable and prosperous societies in West Africa, we are strengthening our own national security.”

The announcement was welcomed by officials in the region, who have been calling for more support from the international community to help them tackle the growing threat of jihadist violence.

“It’s a message of hope for the population in the Sahel who are facing immense suffering,” said Mohamed Bazoum, the president of Niger. “This aid will strengthen our ability to defend our populations and promote the development of our countries.”

Overall, the pledge of $100 million to fight extremism in West Africa is a positive step in the right direction towards promoting stability and security in the region. The aid package will undoubtedly have a significant impact on the lives of millions of people affected by the conflict by addressing the root causes of instability and conflict in the region.