After withdrawing its forces from Niger and Chad, Washington is reorganizing its security presence in the Lake Chad basin to counter the expansion of the Islamic State. The United States has not abandoned its military footprint in West Africa. Following the closure of its bases in Niger and Chad, Washington seeks to reconstitute a system around the Lake Chad basin, where the Islamic State aims to continue its expansion. Key elements of the new plan include intelligence gathering, drone operations, and air support. Nigeria and Cameroon now occupy a central place in this revised policy.
Article source: JeuneAfrique | Image credit: JeuneAfrique